CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia residents voiced their opinions about a bill that would allow the conceal carry of a gun without a permit during a public hearing at the state capitol Thursday morning.
The bill, passed the state Senate 32-2 last week and was sent to the House of Delegates, would eliminate the need for a conceal carry permit, license and the training operated through the county sheriff’s departments. The new proposal would drop the age from 21 to 18 to carry a hidden firearm without obtaining a permit or taking safety classes.
Those who spoke against the bill Thursday were members and supporters of the law enforcement community. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said West Virginians need to support and trust the police, sheriffs and police chiefs.
“In this state, in the last couple years, we’ve had troopers killed and deputy sheriffs shot. The police need our support, not just our clapping and telling them how much we like them,” said Carper.
Carper said the possible passing of the bill creates major problems for law enforcement because they could face the prospect of being shot by a gun holder who does not have the proper training or permit to carry such a weapon.
Carper spoke out about the difference between an open carry and a concealed carry. He said the police need a chance for life and to know who means well and who does not when carrying a weapon.
“That’s why the police almost unanimously objected this bill. At least let’s just honor their right to object to it because after all, they’re the ones that are protecting us,” said Carper.
On the financial side of the measure, Keith Morgan, president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, said the only change the law would make would be the removal of a $100 fee to conceal a firearm. Police said the $100 fee often helps pay for bullet proof vests.
“This is an opportunity for the legislature to right a wrong. It is wrong for the Legislature to take our rights and then allow the sheriffs to sell them back to us,” Morgan said.
Under current law, a police officer knows, at the minimum, that a conceal carry permit holder is legally entitled to own and/or posses a firearm. Charleston FOP President Steve Neddo said that would change if an officer interacts with a person without a permit.
“A police officer will not know if this person can legally posses a firearm and will not know if this person can safely handle the firearm. On top of the original reason for the interaction, the police officer will also need to do some type of basic background check,” said Neddo, “How can he do that on the side of the road?”
Resident Keith Owen Campbell was for the passing of the bill. Campbell said he was unsure if the officer safety issue would change anything if, in fact, the police automatically views the public as armed and dangerous. For that matter, he said he believes most people who carry a weapon are self-taught.
“One thing about the National Rifle Association instructors — you say you want us to take this class to learn safety. I can tell you this — the NRA basic pistol class teaches you one thing. It teaches you which end goes ‘boom.’ Anything more than that, you’ve learned on your own,” said Campbell.
The bill is now up for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee.