Open/Concealed Carry in WV

[BSnyder]

Hi guys. Long time reader first time poster. I hope this question belongs here. I'm sort of new to carrying and I had a question concerning printing.

I don't want to sound too stupid but should I be legally concerned with printing in WV? I'll be honest and say that I'm kind of lazy and like to carry OWB. That and I just started carrying a new gun and don't have a decent IWB holster for it yet. With fall/winter approaching I realize this won't really be an issue with a coat and all but I hardly carried at all since the new gun because all I could stand wearing was a t-shirt. And that's not exactly good at concealing a snubby but it's not too bad either.

So this is where my question stems from. If I were to just throw my t-shirt over my gun could I get in trouble for printing? We have open carry and a lot of folks do where I live. I personally don't really see a difference in a printing gun and an openly carried one. I've searched the laws for WV and found nothing. I've been told that if I have a carry permit I have to carry concealed, therefore giving up my right to open carry, which I'm pretty sure isn't correct.

So other than losing the "tactical advantage" and possibly drawing attention to myself from officers, could I get in trouble for printing?

 

[Sam1911]

We had a thread on WV open carry a while back: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6635717

Here is something you might find useful:

Here is a booklet prepared by the WV Attorney General on the subject: http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/brochures/2009_gunbrochure.pdf

He says, "While West Virginia is an “Open Carry” state, only residents of West Virginia may do so." That's a pretty important point.

As you're a resident you should be in the clear.

 

[Bubbles]

There is no prohibition in WV's laws on OC based on residency. The info in the booklet is incorrect. The WV State Police and the AG's office are in a finger-pointing fight over who exactly put that info into the pamphlet. If the WVCDL forums were up I could link a discussion over there on it.

Printing is also not an issue, and frankly unless you're going to Charleston, Kanawha County, or Martinsburg you could walk around with a .44 hogleg on your hip and no one would bat an eye. Charleston and Martinsburg also have their own prohibitions on carry on city property. Charleston's predates the state's pre-emption law, Martinsburg's does not. Both are currently the subject of a lawsuit.

 

[Sam1911]

Well, that is mighty good to know! Thanks!

 

[BSnyder]

Thanks guys. Very helpful and very informative. I assumed it wouldn't be a big deal but needed some positive reinforcement. Really appreciate it.

 

[Gary Slider]

In WV the only thing a permit allows you to do is concealed a firearm. You can open carry anywhere you can carry with a permit as long as the firearm is visible. In a vehicle the seat beside you might come into question. On the Dash in a holster is legal.

I am a WV resident and instruct the classed to obtain a permit.

 

[md2lgyk]

Most people are oblivious to a lot of what's around them, so I wouldn't worry too much about printing. I generally pocket carry so worry about it even less. But though perfectly legal, I would NOT open carry where I live (Jefferson County). Too many liberal blissninnies from MD around here. I don't need to be the subject of a "man with a gun" call.