The legislature is considering several bills that would roll back more restrictive gun ordinances passed by several cities. The bills are aimed at Charleston and other cities that have added their own restrictions on gun purchases and were grandfathered in several years ago when the legislature passed a preemption law.
West Virginia is a strong pro-gun state, so the bills are attracting support from both Democrats and Republicans.
One of the Republican-sponsored bills cleared the House Political Subdivisions Committee Wednesday. Bill co-sponsor Del. Patrick Lane, R-Kanawha, says this is about protecting Constitutional rights.
“We wanted to make sure that every citizen, regardless of what municipality they live in, has the opportunity to fully exercise those self-protection Second Amendment Constitutional rights,” Lane said.
Charleston, South Charleston and Dunbar all have ordinances that place further restrictions on gun purchases. The legislature passed a preemption law that prevents cities and counties from passing gun laws that are more restrictive than state law, however, cities with existing gun ordinances were grandfathered in.
The bills being considered at the capitol would wipe away the grandfather protection and subject those municipalities to the same guns laws as the rest of the state.
Several House bills, including the one passed Wednesday by the Political Subdivisions Committee, are now before the House Judiciary Committee.
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Comments
C.Hoffman
WV is a strong pro-gun state. However that's not what junior senator joe is telling the media in DC. Somebody grab joe's hand as he's spinning in the bowl and let him know how WV really feels.
February 27, 2013 at 3:27 pm | Report comment
Roger
Joe may considering a move to Maryland where he can be among his own kind.
February 27, 2013 at 3:40 pm | Report comment
wvman75
Contact Manchin and Rockefeller and let them know how you feel and remind them what the sentiment is in West Virginia and the values and positions they were elected to represent. I did.
Still haven't heard back from them. Not that I'm shocked.
February 27, 2013 at 4:09 pm | Report comment
Roger
You most likely get a nice, polite form letter that says essentially nothing. I don't write anymore because I got tired of receiving them.
February 27, 2013 at 4:40 pm | Report comment
Wowbagger
The reply letter doesn't mean a lot, but the discomfort a lot of e-mails, letters, and calls can generate in these lowlife politicians can make it worth the effort!
February 27, 2013 at 6:52 pm | Report comment
Damion45
I am waiting for his response too; as well as Senators Coburn and Kirk. I didn't waste my time on Schumer.
Although I think one pro-gun group has falsely attacked Manchin for what he didn't say.
February 28, 2013 at 3:01 pm | Report comment
welfareworker
i like Chris Rocks idea. if you want to stop gun violence let every one have a gun and tax bullets $5000 a box. that will stop it.
February 27, 2013 at 4:38 pm | Report comment
Wowbagger
Rock is a fool and I must conclude neither of you are into bullet molding and reloading.
February 27, 2013 at 6:47 pm | Report comment
Teufel
Call manchin and Rockefeller's offices and let them know how you feel- every call counts
February 27, 2013 at 5:22 pm | Report comment
Woodchuck
JoeMo's disconnected the land line to the homeland. Try and contact him. He don't care now.
February 27, 2013 at 7:39 pm | Report comment
Protechcpa
Time to recall Joe. It can and should be done. No one has misrepresented himself more blatantly than he. When you consider the bogus political ads he ran, as if he was one of us, he has become a disgrace to West Virginia. He is nothing more than an Obama lackey. That is nothing to be proud of.
February 27, 2013 at 8:51 pm | Report comment
Jim
Where does one go to sign Joe's Recall Petition?
February 28, 2013 at 8:57 am | Report comment
polarbear
dur dur dur he tryin to take r guns.Me need gun to kill deer dur dur. I real bad shot cause I drikin the shine dur dur. Me need 50 shot clip to kill that 100 lb doe.
February 28, 2013 at 10:46 am | Report comment
Red Alert
I called Senator Manchin's office to tell him that I support universal background checks, limiting magazine size, and an assault weapon ban. Not every West Virginia is ridiculously pro-gun.
February 28, 2013 at 12:26 pm | Report comment
Hey Vern
No their not, but most are pro 2nd amendment. And nothing about that is ridiculous. We just happen to be believe that "Shall not be infringed" means, in any way, shape or form. You may not believe in the Constitution, but most of the people in our state do. Lastly, Manchin's lack of representation for his supporters have ensured that his voting base is dwindling fast.
February 28, 2013 at 2:55 pm | Report comment
Wvrefugee
This is so typical of backwards WV politics and the Legislature's constiuency!! True ignorance!!!
As long as this backward and ignorant mindset is prevalent here, WV will always be last!
So glad I moved back to this state of Dysfunction and Anarchy!!!
February 28, 2013 at 12:33 pm | Report comment
Frustrated
Uneducated people hide behind bullets as a way to end an argument they have no chance of winning. The reality is, our state is a complete failure because of the culture. People resent education and logic because it makes them feel stupid, and they make excuses instead of facing our real problems. Drugs, low high-school graduation rate, a DYING COAL INDUSTRY, and a complete bow-down to the natural gas industries. This is just another problem that we can invent to stir paranoia and ignore real problems.
February 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm | Report comment
ShinnstonGuy
You hit a lot of truths right on the head with this post!
February 28, 2013 at 7:14 pm | Report comment