Who needs
a license to carry a deadly weapon?
Where do I apply
for a concealed deadly weapons license?
How much will I pay
for my license?
What are the
requirements to obtain a license?
What are the
training requirements to obtain a license?
How long after I
apply will I get my license?
For how long is the
license valid?
What if I
currently have a concealed weapons license?
What my concealed
weapons license has expired?
What if I am
denied a concealed weapons license?
What are the
requirements if my license is approved?
How can my
license be revoked?
What if my license
is lost or destroyed?
Who do I contact
for further information?
- Who needs a license to carry a
deadly weapon? top of page
Any person who
intends to carry a concealed deadly weapon must apply for
and obtain a license. Concealed deadly weapons include
pistols, revolvers, and other types of handguns and
firearms. Concealed deadly weapons also include certain
types of knives and other instruments designed to be used
to produce serious bodily injury or death.
The only persons exempt from licensing requirements are:
law enforcement officers; on-duty correctional officers;
on-duty members of the armed forces or National Guard;
and certain judicial officials and employees. Residents
of another state who hold a valid concealed weapons
license from that state are exempt as long as that state
recognizes and honors West Virginia issued licenses.
Licensing provisions do not apply to carrying the weapon
on the person's own premises; carrying an unloaded
firearm from place of purchase to its destination; or
carrying a firearm to or from a hunting site. Members of
legally authorized target-shooting clubs are exempt from
licensing while carrying unloaded pistols to and from the
place of target practice and while using such weapons at
the range.
Click Here for a List of Places That Concealed
Weapons
Cannot Be Carried With a Concealed Weapons Permit
- Where do I apply for a concealed
deadly weapons license? top of page
- At the Office of the Sheriff in
your county of residence. The Sheriff may designate a
division or person to handle the licensing process.
- How much will I pay for my
license?
top of page
- A total of $75.00. You pay $60.00
to the Sheriff at the time you apply. If your application
is approved, you pay an additional $15.00 prior to
issuance of the license. These fees are not
refundable.
- What
are the
requirements to obtain a license? top of page
- An applicant must attest to the
following: 1) 18 years of age or older; 2)
A resident of the county; 3) No addicted to
alcohol or controlled substances; 4) No
convictions of a felony or an act of violence involving
the misuse of a deadly weapon; 5) At the time of
the application, the applicant has no criminal charges
pending or not under a sentence for domestic violence; 6)
At the time of the application, the applicant is not the
subject of a restraining order or is subject to a
protective order as a result of a domestic violence act
or petition; 7) Physically and mentally competent
to carry a concealed deadly weapon; 8) Has not
been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent; and 9)
Has completed the training requirements set forth in the
law.
The license application will also ask for your full name,
date of birth, social security number, and a description
of your physical features. In addition, you must
authorize the Sheriff to conduct an investigation
verifying the information you have given.
You must present a valid driver's license or other
state-issued photo identification card when you file the
application. Completed applications must be notarized.
Notaries are generally available at the Sheriff's Office
or elsewhere at the county courthouse.
- What
are the
training requirements to obtain a license? top of page
- Before filing your concealed
weapons licensing application, you must present evidence
that you have successfully completed on of the following
training courses; 1) Any NRA (National Rifle
Association) handgun safety or training course; 2)Any
handgun safety or training course available to the public
through an official law enforcement organization or an
educational institution; 3)Any handgun safety or
training course conducted by an instructor certified by
the state or by the NRA; 4)Any handgun safety or
training course conducted by the U.S. military, reserves,
or National Guard.
To satisfy the licensing training requirement, you may
present a photocopy of a certificate of course
completion, an affidavit from the instructor, or any
other document which verifies successful training course
completion.
CLICK
HERE to see a list of the instructors in
Hancock County.
- How long after I apply will I get
my license? top of page
- After you file your application,
the Sheriff, or his designee, will conduct an
investigation to verify that the information you have
given on your application is true and correct.
Falsification of any portion of the application
constitutes false swearing and WILL be punishable
as a misdemeanor offense.
The Sheriff shall issue or deny the license within 30
days of the date you filed the application if all
background checks are completed; and no later than 45
days regardless of weather the background checks have
been completed.
- For how long is the license
valid?
top of page
- Five years from the date of
issuance, unless sooner revoked. Licenses are valid
throughout the state during the five year period.
- What
if I
currently have a concealed weapons license? top of page
- A current and valid concealed
weapons license continues to be valid until your license
expires or is revoked.
- What if my concealed weapons
license has expired? top of page
- You must apply to the Sheriff for
renewal of your license and pay the applicable fees.
Provided all licensure requirements are met, the Sheriff
will issue you a new license. Training course
requirements are waived for renewal applicants who
previously qualified.
- What if I am denied a concealed
weapons license? top of page
- Your application will be denied if
you fail to meet any of the licensure requirements or if
any of the information you gave on you application is
found to be false or incorrect. If your application is
denied, the Sheriff will state the specific reason(s) for
the denial.
If you are denied a license, you may file a petition
seeking review of the denial with the circuit court of
the county in which you applied. You must file this
petition within 30 days of the denial.
- What
are the
requirements if my license is approved? top of page
- As previously stated, you must pay
a $15.00 fee before the license can be issued. You must
sign your name on the license with pen and ink. The
Sheriff will also sign the license and attach his seal.
At any and all times in which you carry a concealed
deadly weapon, you must also have in your possession a
valid concealed weapons license AND a
state-issued photo identification card or drivers
license. Failure to have both in your possession while
carrying a concealed deadly weapon is a misdemeanor
offense, punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 or
more than $200.00 for each offense.
- How can my license be revoked? top of page
- Your license will be revoked if you
violate or become unable to meet any of the licensing
application requirements. You must immediately surrender
your license to the issuing Sheriff when you become
ineligible for continued licensure.
- What if my license is lost or
destroyed?
top of page
- You may obtain a duplicate or
substitute license for a fee of $5.00 by filing a
notarized statement with the Sheriff indicating that your
license has been lost or destroyed.
Or call us at
(304) 564-3911 / (304) 564-3311
Or E-mail to skeandhu@tripod.net
Information for
this page was taken from a pamphlet by the West Virginia
Sheriff's Association in accordance with West Virginia Code
61-7-4 . This web page is provided solely as a public service and
is not intended as a legal or judicial interpretation of the law.
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