Lawmakers in West Virginia have approved a bill 68-31 that would allow its state’s citizens over the age of 21 to carry without a permit. The bill was sponsored by the youngest Delegate in the House, Saira Blair.
At just 19 years old, she reported that threats to her life prompted her to urge the passage of this bill. She reported that she doesn’t want to live in fear, and that concealed carry is the solution to her need for protection.
This is the second year in a row that a bill of this kind has been passed. Last year’s was vetoed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
If the bill passes with approval from the Governor, West Virginia would join Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Montana, Wyoming and Vermont as the few states that allow concealed carry without a permit.
According to a report on the issue by NPR, Kansas and Utah are also considering the passage of similar bills. Bills of this nature still bring much debate in the Senate and depend heavily on the final signature of the Governor, but still demonstrate the desire of the people to be armed with few restrictions.
Despite the success at this stage, the idea of concealed without a permit still strikes many as going too far. Opposition to the bill say that registering permit holders aid law enforcement and required training help to give gun owners a foundation of safety.
In the hopes of compromise, lawmakers proposed amendments to the bill such as a tax credit for the permit application process and the introduction of live-fire training to the process.
Ultimately, the discussion will center around the government’s ability to have influence over how individuals use their own personal property. As the bill moves to discussion in the Senate, expect more amendments and changes to the bill.
