West Virginia Bill Lowers Age to Carry Concealed Firearms Without a License from 21 to 18

Original title: Relating to Constitutional Carry

Last action · January 21, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Chris Anders and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 4678 allows individuals aged 18 to 20 to carry a concealed deadly weapon without a state license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms. The measure lowers the minimum age requirement from 21 to match existing privileges for older adults.

Why it matters

Expands concealed carry eligibility to residents between 18 and 20 years old who are legally authorized to possess a firearm, altering the previous licensing mandate for this age bracket.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Persons 18 to 20 years of age

Individuals in this age group gain the legal ability to carry a concealed deadly weapon without a state permit, provided they meet non-prohibition criteria.

Directly affected

Judicial officers and prosecutors

Certain judges, magistrates, and prosecutors are exempt from paying application and licensure fees for handgun permits.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license under this bill?

Any United States citizen or legal resident who is at least 18 years of age and is not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.

Does the bill remove all firearm restrictions for individuals aged 18 to 20?

No. Individuals remain prohibited from possessing firearms if they have certain criminal convictions, are addicted to alcohol or controlled substances, have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, or are subject to domestic violence protective orders.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Judiciary
Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee
To Judiciary
Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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