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West Virginia Gun-Related Bills This Session |
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Gregory Morris, 2/4/10 2:07:04 pm |
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The WVCDL has announced the pro-gun bills that have been introduced in the legislature for this session.
The first of these bills is HB4265. This bill prohibits the taking of lawfully possessed arms and ammunition during a declared state of emergency or riot. Hurricane Katrina anyone? This is a no-brainer. It has been passed in a number of other states. While WV has not experienced many natural disasters, this is a good law to check the power of local would-be tyrants. Of course, the chance of gun confiscation happening in WV is basically nil because not even the police would go along with it.
The second, HB4280, is a massive hunting law cleanup bill. This bill cleans up the confusion built into our current state code regarding a firearm carried for self defense, and one carried for hunting. This is a much-needed reform. WV generally has good (lack of) gun laws, but the hunting regulations confuse lawful self defense and poaching. In addition, the hunting regs (with regard to when/where you may have a loaded rifle) are poorly written and borderline incomprehensible. People have been arrested for having a loaded firearm in their car at the wrong time of year, even though they did nothing wrong.
HB4305 is a bill strengthening preemption. While we already have preemption, in our view, the current laws are weak, and allow some wiggle-room for certain municipalities. We aim to remove that wiggle room, and provide our state with uniform carry laws on public property. This is going to be harder to pass, but WVCDL had a lot of support last year when they tried. I think they have a good chance at getting this one through. Preemption was meant to keep municipalities from forming a patchwork of laws that no law-abiding citizen could ever hope to comprehend. Unfortunately, when it was originally passed, they grandfathered in some city gun bans.
HB4325 is essentially an Alaska-style carry bill. If passed, this bill would remove the requirement for concealed carry licensing. I wish! It isn't going to happen, but I'm glad WVCDL is trying. Their overall goals are realistic, but there's nothing wrong with an occasional swing for the fence. |
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