Senate Bills 136 and 314, along with House Bill 4145, Seek to Allow Permitless Carry in West Virginia; Gov. Tomblin Vetoed Similar Legislation Last Year
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today denounced the introduction of legislation – SB 136, SB 314 and HB 4145 – that would allow people to carry concealed, loaded guns in public with no training or license – something that 83 percent of state residents oppose. Last year, the West Virginia legislature passed similar legislation and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed it.
Everytown for Gun Safety posted nine billboards around Mercer County where Senate President Bill Cole lives and five additional billboards near the State Capitol calling on Cole, as senate president, to stand with the 83 percent of West Virginians who oppose allowing unlicensed, untrained people to carry concealed, loaded guns in public. In addition, a full-page ad on this subject is in today’s Charleston Gazette-Mail.
STATEMENT FROM DEE PRICE, VOLUNTEER, WEST VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA
“Law enforcement and 83 percent of West Virginians support the existing safety training, a background check and a permit requirement to carry concealed loaded guns in public, yet Senator Cole wants to repeal these safeguards. It’s just common sense that someone who wants to carry a loaded, hidden handgun in public should be able to demonstrate a clean recent violent criminal record and have the training to handle and carry a gun safely. West Virginians want to know why Senator Cole isn’t representing us – and we want him to know that we will remember his blatant disregard for his constituents in November.”