West Virginia Constitutional Carry at 18

West Virginia is a constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry) state, meaning eligible individuals can carry a concealed handgun without a permit or license, as long as they are not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law.

• For individuals 21 years of age and older: Yes, constitutional carry applies fully. No permit is required for concealed carry (and open carry is also generally allowed for those legally possessing firearms).
• For individuals 18 to 20 years old: As of early 2026 (current time frame), this has been a point of recent change. Previously, those 18-20 could possess firearms and openly carry but required a provisional concealed handgun license (with background check, training, etc.) to carry concealed. Without it, concealed carry was prohibited and could result in penalties.

However, in the 2026 legislative session:

• The West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 30 (around February 10, 2026), which removes the permit requirement for 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed, standardizing it with older adults.
• The House passed a similar bill, House Bill 4106, on or around February 17-18, 2026 (87-9 vote), allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed without a permit (and without mandatory training).

These bills repeal prior restrictions (e.g., parts of WV Code §61-7-3 and related sections) and extend permitless concealed carry to adults 18 and older, provided they are not otherwise prohibited (e.g., no felony convictions, no certain mental health adjudications, etc.).

Current status as of February 2026: The House has passed HB 4106, and similar legislation (SB 30) has passed the Senate. It appears the change to allow constitutional carry at 18 is either enacted or very close to becoming law (bills often move quickly in WV’s session). Official sources like the WV Attorney General’s office and county sheriff sites still reference the old 21+ rule with provisional options for 18-20, but news from the legislature and advocacy groups (e.g., GOA) confirm the expansion.

Note: Federal law still restricts handgun purchases from licensed dealers to those 21+, so 18-20 year olds typically acquire handguns via gift, inheritance, or other means. Ammo sales may also have age restrictions in practice. Always verify prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).

For the most up-to-date official confirmation, check the WV Legislature’s bill tracking (e.g., for HB 4106 or SB 30) or the WV State Police/Attorney General’s firearms resources, as laws can finalize quickly. If this is for personal carry, consulting a local sheriff or attorney is recommended.