Senators want to extend conceal carry to 18-20 year olds
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV
In a voice vote on Tuesday afternoon, senators in the Judiciary Committee advanced SB30 which “allow(s) those persons 18-20 years of age to be permitted to carry a deadly weapon as those persons 21 and over are currently permitted to do.”
Under current state law, individuals who are age 21 and over are allowed to conceal carry a firearm without receiving training and a permit. Those ages 18-20 are only allowed to conceal carry if they obtain a provisional concealed handgun license.
According to committee counsel, SB30 “removes the requirement” and allows 18-20 year olds to carry as any other citizen can do.
Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, is a co-sponsor of the bill and asked counsel, “Is there any requirement for training whosoever for these individuals (in SB30)?”
She answered, “The option to receive training and obtain a permit is still there. There is not a requirement for training.”
Deeds again asked, “They wouldn’t be required to have any kind of formal training?”
“That’s correct,” she said.
Sen. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia, sponsored the bill and asked Art Thomm with the WV Citizens Defense League to share his thoughts on the bill.
“I know generally where we typically sit on these types of bills,” said Thomm, who is a registered lobbyist and advocated for constitutional carry when it was passed a decade ago. “We would’ve heard about the problems if there were some. West Virginians have proven responsible.” He argued that it didn’t make sense to allow an 18-year old to carry a rifle but not a concealed handgun.
Sen. Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, agreed, “We’re asking people who can vote and go die for our country but we’re not gonna allow them to be able to protect themselves.”
Thomm responded, “I think this is the only constitutional right we have where there’s a difference in age.”
“Having more people out there responsibly carrying makes for a more responsible society,” Taylor concluded.
Dr. Jim McJunkin, a local doctor with the American Academy of Pediatrics, shared his concerns about the bill. “Firearm related deaths are the leading cause of mortality for children in the US making this a critical public health issue. This is a high risk age group for firearm death.” He said there have been recent incidents in Charleston where young people were killed in firearm accidents.
Following discussion, senators amended and passed the bill by a voice vote. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for consideration by the full body.
