WV Senate advances bill to allow 18 to 20 year olds to conceal carry without permit

by Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
February 10, 2026

The West Virginia Senate has advanced legislation that would allow people ages 18 to 20 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. 

The Senate on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 30 with a vote of 33 to 1. A similar House Bill, House Bill 4106, is under consideration by the House Judiciary committee.

West Virginia law currently allows people aged 21 years and older to carry a deadly weapon without a permit. 

Those who are 18 to 20 years old may apply for a provisional license in order to carry a concealed pistol or revolver. The application process for a provisional license includes proof of handgun safety training. Lawmakers in 2023 passed a bill that allows people with a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver in many areas of public college campuses. 

Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, the only no vote on Senate Bill 30, argued there’s rationale to requiring people under age 21 to have training in order to protect their safety. 

Bill sponsor Sen. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia County, argued that West Virginia residents 18 and older are old enough to join the military, where they would carry a weapon.

“Why should we deny them their full constitutional rights at age 18 when they are old enough to go to war to defend the United States Constitution…?” he said.

Garcia said a person who joins the Armed Forces would receive gun training. 

Rose called the bill “constitutional cleanup” to restore the second amendment rights of people aged 18 to 20. 

“This bill sends the clear message that this body stands for the people of West Virginia and this country, that we understand that second amendment rights to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” Rose said. “I support this bill 1000%.”

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.