Senators passed legislation on Tuesday allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Senate Bill 30 would effectively standardize concealed carry regulations across all age groups of legal adulthood within West Virginia. Much of the bill simply strikes out the limitations placed on gun owners aged 18 to 20.
Under the legislation, 18- to 20-year-olds would no longer face criminal penalties for carrying a hidden weapon without a provisional license. The bill outlines specific legal prohibitions that still apply, such as restrictions for those with certain criminal convictions, substance addictions or mental health adjudications.
Also on Tuesday, the body passed legislation to give counties more latitude when they hire a superintendent. Under current law, local school boards are required to hire superintendents who live in the county or a contiguous county.
Senate Bill 694 would remove the county residency requirement from state law, although local boards could maintain their own similar requirements if they choose.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 473 on Tuesday, which would create a new felony offense for using an “electronic communication device” – which includes phones, computers, and gaming devices – to threaten a “crime of violence,” defined as any act involving the use or threat of violent force against another person.
The legislation stipulates if such a threat causes a serious public alarm or inconvenience, such as inducing panic or significant disruption, or is made with reckless disregard for causing such alarm, the offender can face significant fines and imprisonment.
The bill clarifies that to prove a threat, the state must show the defendant knew or should have known their communication would be viewed as a threat and that a reasonable person would perceive it as such.
These bills now head to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Senate is adjourned until Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m.
Afternoon Meetings:
Health at 1 p.m. in 451M
Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W
Morning Meetings for Feb. 11:
Natural Resources at 9:30 a.m. in 208W
