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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill HB 4685 Allows Concealed Carry on State Capitol Grounds with Restrictions
Last action · January 21, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Chris Anders and 5 others
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 4685 permits individuals licensed to carry a concealed handgun to carry them on the State Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building, provided they show their permit and handgun upon request. The bill explicitly bans concealed handguns inside the Governor's office, the Supreme Court chambers, and the third and fourth floors of the East wing, while maintaining an ban on the complex.
Licensed firearm holders gain the legal right to carry concealed weapons inside most areas of the West Virginia State Capitol Complex, subject to specific building and office exclusions and inspection requirements upon entry.
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.
Individuals licensed to carry a concealed handgun
They are newly permitted to carry concealed handguns on the Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building, subject to specific restricted areas and inspection requirements.
Law enforcement officers
They retain authority to enforce restrictions, request permit and firearm verification upon entry, and manage prohibitions on weapons and public access disruptions.
Key Facts
- Licensed concealed handgun holders are permitted to carry handguns on the grounds and inside the State Capitol building, provided they show their permit and handgun upon request.
- Concealed handguns are expressly prohibited in the Governor's office.
- Concealed handguns are prohibited in the Supreme Court chambers, including the entirety of the third and fourth floors of the East wing.
- The State Senate and House of Delegates are authorized to develop individual firearms rules for the gallery and floor of their respective chambers.
Show all 7 facts
- Open carry of deadly weapons on the State Capitol Complex remains unlawful, though individuals may keep a firearm in a locked motor vehicle out of normal view.
- Carrying a canister of pepper spray exceeding one ounce on the State Capitol Complex remains unlawful.
- Violations of the Capitol complex weapons and disruption rules are classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $100, confinement in jail for up to six months, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are concealed handguns prohibited under HB 4685?
Do I need to show my permit when entering the Capitol building with a concealed handgun?
Does this bill legalize open carry on the Capitol grounds?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Judiciary
- Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled 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.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz60Current news / social attention level
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