Lawmakers in West Virginia shot down their Democratic governor's attempt at clamping Second Amendment rights, voting to overturn his veto of a bill that gives all residents age 21 and over the right to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin wrote this, of House Bill 4145, in his statement of veto, Breitbart reported: "West Virginia's law enforcement officers have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe and helping us in times of need, and it's disheartening that the members of the legislature have chosen not to stand with these brave men and women – putting their safety and the safety of West Virginians at risk. It's unfortunate that the concerns of officers from every law enforcement branch in the state, including the West Virginia State Police and university campus police officers, have been ignored."
The local WSAV 3 reported the Senate took the governor's veto, and overrode it with a 23-11 vote.
Gun-rights advocates applauded the legislature’s move.
“Self-defense is a fundamental right that must be respected,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Law-abiding West Virginians are now free to choose the method of self-defense that best suits their needs. The NRA and our five million members are pleased that the legislature voted in support of West Virginians’ Second Amendment freedoms.”
The new law, taking effect in 90 days, means those aged 21 or older can carry a gun without a permit, and those between the ages of 18 and 20 can also carry a concealed weapon if they obtain a permit.
West Virginia will become one of eight states that allow concealed carry without a permit. Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Vermont, and Wyoming are so-called constitutional carry states. In Wyoming, the law applies to residents only.