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HB 5170WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill 5170 permits open carry of firearms on Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building

Original title: Relating to Capitol Carry

Last action · February 4, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Chris Anders and 1 other

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 5170 explicitly allows individuals to lawfully firearms on the grounds and inside the Capitol building, while maintaining prohibitions in the Governor's office and Supreme Court chambers.

Why it matters

The measure shifts firearm regulations at the state seat of government, granting legal permission for in shared public spaces while empowering legislative chambers to establish their own gallery and floor rules and maintaining strict exclusions in judicial and executive offices.

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

Visitors and staff at the State Capitol Complex

Individuals on Capitol grounds and inside the building gain the legal permission to open carry firearms, subject to specific building exceptions and legislative rules.

Directly affected

State Senate and House of Delegates

Each legislative chamber is granted the authority to develop specific firearms rules for the gallery and floor of their respective chambers.

Directly affected

Law-enforcement officers

Officers must enforce Capitol security rules while accommodating the newly codified open carry rights outside of restricted zones.

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

Can I open carry a firearm inside the West Virginia Capitol building under this bill?
Yes, the bill explicitly permits individuals to a firearm inside the Capitol building, with specific exceptions such as the Governor's office and Supreme Court chambers.
Are there any areas inside the Capitol where handguns are still banned?
Yes. of a handgun is not permitted in the Governor's office or in the chambers of the Supreme Court, including the entirety of the third and fourth floor of the East wing.
Can the Senate and House of Delegates make their own rules about firearms?
Yes, the State Senate and House of Delegates are explicitly authorized to develop firearms rules for the gallery and floor of their respective chambers.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
    To House Judiciary
  2. Feb 4, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Introduced in House
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
    To Judiciary
  4. Feb 4, 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.

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

Chris AndersHouse · District 97RepublicanPrimary sponsor
KumpHouseSponsorNo profile match

Connected Entities

Governor's office, House of Delegates, State Capitol Complex and 2 more
locationGovernor's office“An area explicitly excluded from open carry of handguns.”Map →
OrganizationHouse of Delegates“Authorized to develop firearms rules for its gallery and floor.”Map →
locationState Capitol Complex“The geographic area governed by the firearm restrictions and allowances in the b”Map →
OrganizationSupreme Court“Chambers and associated floors where open carry of handguns is not permitted.”Map →
OrganizationState Senate“Authorized to develop firearms rules for its gallery and floor.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
  • Controversy75
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz40
    Current news / social attention level

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