Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB4145%20SUB%20ENG.htm&yr=2016&sesstype=RS&i=4145
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 13:55:47
Document Index: 217135750

Matched Legal Cases: ['§20', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§20', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§ 921', '§ 922', '§61', '§ 922', '§61', '§926', '§926', '§926', '§926', '§926', '§ 922', '§926', '§61']

HB 4145 Text
Engrossed Version House Bill 4145 History
By Delegates blair, azinger, butler, cadle, eldridge, householder, marcum, overington, r. phillips, sobonya and upson
A BILL to repeal §20-2-6a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §61-7-3, §61-7-4, §61-7-6 and §61-7-11a of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §61-7-4a and §61-7-15a, all relating to carry or use of a handgun or deadly weapon; establishing that criminal penalties for carrying a concealed deadly weapon without state license or other lawful authorization applies only to persons under twenty-one years of age and prohibited persons; requiring an applicant for a concealed weapon permit be a United States citizen or legal resident thereof, a resident of this state and of the county in which application is made; permitting persons eighteen years and older to obtain a concealed carry permit; requiring actual live firing of ammunition in training; requiring an applicant for a concealed carry permit to provide a copy of instructor’s certification; requiring that on or after January 1, 2017, all duplicate license cards issued by county sheriffs be uniform across all fifty-five counties and feature a photograph of the licensee; requiring State Police, in cooperation with the Sheriffs’ Bureau of Professional Standards, prepare uniform applications for licenses and license cards; entitling a person who is granted a license and pays fees under Chapter 61, Article 7 after the effective date of §61-7-4 to a tax credit equal to the amount actually paid not to exceed $100; creating a provisional license to carry concealed deadly weapons for persons between eighteen and twenty-one years of age; establishing provisional license application requirements and procedures; exempting members of the United States Armed Forces, Reserve or National Guard from permit requirements; permitting prosecuting attorneys, assistant prosecuting attorneys or investigators employed by a prosecuting attorney to elect to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act; eliminating the requirement for persons twenty-one years of age and older to possess a permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon provided that certain conditions are met, including being a United States citizen or legal resident, being twenty-one years of age or older and not prohibited from possessing firearms; providing that a person who displays a valid photo identification or concealed weapon permit may not be unreasonably detained for purposes of verifying whether that person is a prohibited person; requiring a school principal to report certain violations to the State Police; and permitting private schools written policies to govern whether a person may possess a firearm or other deadly weapon in or on a private primary or secondary education building, structure or facility; providing enhanced penalties for use of a firearm during the planning or commission of a felony; and excepting enhanced penalties in certain circumstances when a firearm is used in defense of self or others.
That §20-2-6a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be repealed; that §61-7-3, §61-7-4, §61-7-6 and §61-7-11a of said code be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto two new sections, designated §61-7-4a and §61-7-15a, all to read as follows:
CHAPTER 20. CRIMES AND THEIR PUNISHMENT.
§61-7-3. Carrying a deadly weapon without license or other authorization by persons under twenty-one years of age or persons that are prohibited from possessing firearms under section seven of this article; penalties.
(a) Any person under twenty-one years of age, or who is prohibited from possessing firearms under section seven of this article who carries a concealed deadly weapon, without a state license or other lawful authorization established under the provisions of this code, shall be is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 and may be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than twelve months for the first offense; but upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, he or she shall be is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary a state correctional facility not less than one nor more than five years and fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000.
(b) It shall be the duty of The prosecuting attorney in all cases to shall ascertain whether or not the charge made by the grand jury is a first offense or is a second or subsequent offense and, if it shall be is a second or subsequent offense, it shall be so stated in the indictment returned, and the prosecuting attorney shall introduce the record evidence before the trial court of such second or subsequent offense and shall may not be permitted to use discretion in introducing evidence to prove the same on the trial.
(1) The applicant's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, a description of the applicant's physical features, the applicant=s place of birth, the applicant=s country of citizenship and, if the applicant is not a United States citizen, any alien or admission number issued by the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any basis, if applicable, for an exception to the prohibitions of 18 U. S. C. ' 922(g)(5)(B);
(7) That the applicant has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined in 18 U. S. C. ' 921(a)(33), or a misdemeanor offense of assault or battery either under the provisions of section twenty-eight, article two of this chapter or the provisions of subsection (b) or (c), section nine, article two of this chapter in which the victim was a current or former spouse, current or former sexual or intimate partner, person with whom the defendant cohabits or has cohabited, a parent or guardian, the defendant=s child or ward or a member of the defendant=s household at the time of the offense, or a misdemeanor offense with similar essential elements in a jurisdiction other than this state;
(10) That the applicant is not prohibited under the provisions of section seven of this article or federal law, including 18 U.S.C. ' 922(g) or (n), from receiving, possessing or transporting a firearm;
(b) For both initial and renewal applications, the sheriff shall conduct an investigation including a nationwide criminal background check consisting of inquiries of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the West Virginia criminal history record responses and the National Interstate Identification Index and shall review the information received in order to verify that the information required in subsection (a) of this section is true and correct. A license may not be issued unless the issuing sheriff has verified through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System that the information available to him or her does not indicate that receipt or possession of a firearm by the applicant would be in violation of the provisions of section seven of this article or federal law, including 18 U.S.C. ' 922(g) or (n).
(d) All persons applying for a license must complete a training course in handling and firing a handgun, which includes the actual live firing of ammunition by the applicant. The successful completion of any of the following courses fulfills this training requirement: Provided, That the completed course included the actual live firing of ammunition by the applicant:
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization or group that conducted or taught the course or class attesting to the successful completion of the course or class by the applicant or a copy of any document which shows successful completion of the course or class is evidence of qualification under this section and shall include the instructor’s name, signature, and NRA or state instructor identification number, if applicable.
(h) Each license shall contain the full name and address of the licensee and a space upon which the signature of the licensee shall be signed with pen and ink. The issuing sheriff shall sign and attach his or her seal to all license cards. The sheriff shall provide to each new licensee a duplicate license card, in size similar to other state identification cards and licenses, suitable for carrying in a wallet, and the license card is considered a license for the purposes of this section All duplicate license cards issued on or after July 1, 2017, shall be uniform in size, appearance and information across all fifty-five counties and must feature a photograph of the licensee.
(l) Whenever any person after applying for and receiving a concealed handgun license moves from the address named in the application to another county within the state, the license remains valid for the remainder of the five years unless the sheriff of the new county has determined that the person is no longer eligible for a concealed deadly weapon license under this article, and the sheriff shall issue a new license bearing the person=s new address and the original expiration date for a fee not to exceed $5: Provided, That the licensee within twenty days thereafter notifies the sheriff in the new county of residence in writing of the old and new addresses.
(q) Information collected under this section, including applications, supporting documents, permits, renewals, or any other information that would identify an applicant for or holder of a concealed weapon permit, is confidential: Provided: That such this information may be disclosed to a law-enforcement agency or officer: (i) To determine the validity of a permit; (ii) to assist in a criminal investigation or prosecution; or (iii) for other lawful law-enforcement purposes. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $200 for each offense.
(r) A person who is granted a license and pays fees under this article after the effective date of this section is entitled to a tax credit equal to the amount actually paid not to exceed $100.
(r) (s) Except as restricted or prohibited by the provisions of this article or as otherwise prohibited by law, the issuance of a concealed weapon permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this section authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver on the lands or waters of this state.
(6) That the applicant has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence other than an offense set forth in subsection (7) of this section within five years immediately preceding the application;
(7) That the applicant has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined in 18 U. S. C. § 921(a)(33), or a misdemeanor offense of assault or battery under either section twenty-eight, article two of this chapter or subsection (b) or (c), section nine, article two of this chapter in which the victim was a current or former spouse, current or former sexual or intimate partner, person with whom the defendant cohabits or has cohabited, a parent or guardian, the defendant's child or ward or a member of the defendant's household at the time of the offense, or a misdemeanor offense with similar essential elements in a jurisdiction other than this state;
(10) That the applicant is not prohibited under section seven of this article or federal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or (n), from receiving, possessing or transporting a firearm;
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization or group that conducted or taught the course or class attesting to the successful completion of the course or class by the applicant or a copy of any document which shows successful completion of the course or class is evidence of qualification under this section. Certificates, affidavits or other documents submitted to show completion of a course or class shall include instructor information and proof of instructor certification, including, if applicable, the instructor’s NRA instructor certification number.
(f) The sheriff shall issue a provisional license unless the sheriff determines that the application is incomplete, that it contains statements that are materially false or incorrect or that applicant otherwise does not meet the requirements set forth in this section. The sheriff shall issue, reissue or deny the license within forty- five days after the application is filed if all required background checks authorized by this section are completed.
(h) Each provisional license shall contain the full name and address of the licensee and a space upon which the signature of the licensee shall be signed with pen and ink. The issuing sheriff shall sign and attach his or her seal to all license cards. The sheriff shall provide to each new licensee a duplicate license card, in size similar to other state identification cards and licenses, suitable for carrying in a wallet, and the license card is considered a license for the purposes of this section. All duplicate license cards issued shall be uniform in size, appearance and information across all fifty-five counties and must feature a photograph of the licensee. The provisional license shall be readily distinguishable from a license issued pursuant to section four of this article and shall state: “NOT NICS EXEMPT. This license confers the same rights and privileges to carry a concealed pistol or revolver on the lands or waters of this state as a license issued pursuant to §61-7-4. Except this license does not satisfy the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3). A NICS check must be performed prior to purchase of a firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.”
(i) The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police, in coordination with the West Virginia Sheriffs’ Bureau of Professional Standards, shall prepare uniform applications for provisional licenses and license cards showing that the license has been granted and shall do any other act required to be done to protect the state and see to the enforcement of this section.
(m) The sheriff shall, immediately after the provisional license is granted, furnish the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police a certified copy of the approved application. The sheriff shall furnish to the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police at any time so requested a certified list of all licenses issued in the county. The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police shall maintain a registry of all persons who have been issued concealed weapons licenses.
(p) Information collected under this section, including applications, supporting documents, permits, renewals, or any other information that would identify an applicant for or holder of a concealed weapon permit, is confidential: Provided. That this information may be disclosed to a law-enforcement agency or officer: (i) To determine the validity of a permit; (ii) to assist in a criminal investigation or prosecution; or (iii) for other lawful law-enforcement purposes. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $200 for each offense.
(q) Except as restricted or prohibited by the provisions of this article or as otherwise prohibited by law, the issuance of a provisional concealed weapon permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this section authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver on the lands or waters of this state.
§61-7-6. Exceptions as to prohibitions against carrying concealed handguns for persons between the ages of 18-20; exemptions from licensing fees.
(a) The licensure provisions set forth in section three of this article do not apply to:
(1) Any person between the ages of 18-20:
(B) Carrying a firearm, unloaded, from the place of purchase to his or her home, residence or place of business or to a place of repair and back to his or her home, residence or place of business; or
(C) Possessing a firearm while hunting in a lawful manner or while traveling from his or her home, residence or place of business to a hunting site and returning to his or her home, residence or place of business;
(3) Any law-enforcement officer or law-enforcement official or chief executive as defined in section one, article twenty-nine, chapter thirty of this code;
(4) Any employee of the West Virginia Division of Corrections duly appointed pursuant to the provisions of section eleven-c, article one, chapter twenty-five of this code while the employee is on duty;
(5) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the militia of this state while the member is on duty Armed Forces, Reserve or National Guard;
(6) Any resident of another state who holds a valid permit or license to possess or carry a handgun issued by a state or a political subdivision subject to the provisions and limitations set forth in section six-a of this article;
(7) Any federal law-enforcement officer or federal police officer authorized to carry a weapon in the performance of the officer=s duty; and
(8) Any parole officer appointed pursuant to section fourteen, article twelve, chapter sixty-two of this code in the performance of their duties.
(b) On and after July 1, 2013, The following judicial officers and prosecutors and staff shall be exempted are exempt from paying any application fees or licensure fees required under this article. However, on and after that same date, they shall be required to make application and satisfy all licensure and handgun safety and training requirements to obtain a license as set forth in section four of this article: before carrying a concealed handgun in this state
(c) Any prosecuting attorney, assistant prosecuting attorney, or any duly appointed investigator employed by a prosecuting attorney who elects to carry a concealed firearm, may do so pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. §926B, upon completion of training and certification pursuant to section four of this article, and annual firearms training and certification established by the sheriff’s department of his or her county, similar to that which is provided to members of the sheriff’s department eligible for training and certification under 18 U.S.C §926B , and which shall reasonably accommodate any physical disability of the trainee. Any prosecuting attorney, assistant prosecuting attorney, or any duly appointed investigator employed by a prosecuting attorney who elects to undergo training and certification pursuant to this subsection shall provide, at his or her own expense, a suitable firearm and any ammunition actually expended in training and certification pursuant to this subsection. Upon completion of training and certification pursuant to this subsection, each such prosecuting attorney, assistant prosecuting attorney, or duly appointed investigator employed by a prosecuting attorney shall be issued a photographic identification and certification card, suitable to be carried in a wallet, valid for one year, which shall contain the name, title, official address, full-face color photograph of said prosecuting attorney or assistant prosecuting attorney, the sheriff’s signature, the expiration date, the word “qualified law-enforcement officer under 18 U.S.C. §926B” in conspicuous type and shall indicate completion of periodic training consistent with this subsection and the requirements of 18 U.S.C. §926B. Prosecuting attorneys, assistant prosecuting attorneys, or duly appointed investigators employed by a prosecuting attorney who have successfully completed such training and certification shall have all the rights and authorities necessary in order to comply with 18 U.S.C. §926B. This subsection is supplemental and additional to existing rights to bear arms, and nothing in this subsection shall impair or diminish such rights.
(d) Any person twenty-one years of age or older may carry a concealed deadly weapon, without permit, in this state provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) The person is a United States citizen or legal resident thereof; and
(2) The person is not prohibited under the provisions of section seven of this article or federal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or (n), from receiving, possessing or transporting a firearm.
(e) Any person who displays a valid photo identification or concealed weapon permit may not be unreasonably detained for purposes of verifying whether that person is a prohibited person.
(b)(1) It is unlawful for a person to possess a firearm or other deadly weapon on a school bus as defined in section one, article one, chapter seventeen-a of this code, or in or on a public or private primary or secondary education building, structure, facility or grounds including a vocational education building, structure, facility or grounds where secondary vocational education programs are conducted or at a school-sponsored function or in or on a private primary or secondary education building, structure, facility where such is not allowed by the written policies of the private educational institution.
(B) Any probation officer appointed pursuant to section five, article twelve, chapter sixty-two of this code in the performance of his or her duties;
(iv) Meets all the requirements to carry a firearm as a qualified retired law-enforcement officer under the Law-Enforcement Officer Safety Act of 2004, as amended, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §926C(c); and
§61-7-15a. Enhanced penalty for use of firearm during commission of felony.
(a) Except to the extent that a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by any other provision of law, any person who uses or displays a firearm during the planning or commission of any felony shall, in addition to the punishment provided for such felony, be sentenced to an additional term of imprisonment in a state correctional facility of five years, which sentence may not be reduced or suspended.
(b) Except to the extent that a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by any other provision of law, any convicted felon who uses or displays a firearm during the planning or commission of any felony shall, in addition to the punishment provided for such felony, be sentenced to an additional term of imprisonment in a state correctional facility of ten years, to run consecutively, not concurrently, which sentence may not be reduced or suspended.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in this code, the provisions of this article do not apply to a person who in good faith employs the use of a firearm, in self-defense or the defense of others, against another person who is perpetuating violence or the threat of violence.