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Senator has concerns over conceal carry bill

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislation headed on the floor of the state Senate will roll back standing provisions for concealed carry permits in West Virginia.

Under legislation approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week the age limit for carrying a concealed weapon would be lowered to 18 and the need for a permit would be removed.

“Everybody who’s a law abiding citizen gets to carry a concealed weapon,” said Senator Mike Romano (D-Harrison) Tuesday on MetroNews Talkline. “I’m for that, but the reality is we’ve got to apply a little commonsense to these situations.”

Romano tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill to still include a handgun safety class and to keep the age at 21.  His amendments were defeated.

“We’re talking about giving 18-year-old high school kids and college kids the right to carry pistols,” Romano said. “I was an 18-year-old high school kid and college kid and I’m telling you I don’t think letting them carry a concealed pistol in their waist band is a good idea.”

Romano fears the immaturity and bravado of the age group would create a dangerous situation. He believes the temptation to pull the gun to show off or as a show of immediate force would be too great.  He also fears the law is wide open to abuse.

“What really concerns me is this bill is not limited to West Virginia residents,” he said. “You come to this state, you can own a gun legally, you can carry it in under this bill.  I think that invites a lot of these folks coming down here and peddling drugs that may not have a criminal record and can otherwise own a gun to be carrying on our streets.  I think it’s a recipe for disaster.”





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