West Virginia Knife Laws

Alsharif

Alsharif

Joined
Jan 8, 2018
Messages
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I'll be moving pretty soon to West Virginia and have been reading up on the knife laws there. From what I've read, there is no limit on open carry, but concealed carry must be limited to blades 3.5" or under. (https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/west-virginia/)

Kniferights.org reported that a bill was passed, effective May 24th 2016, in which:
"The new law allows West Virginians 21 years old and older, who are not prohibited persons, to carry a concealed "deadly weapon," including knives, without a permit. That includes switchblades (automatics), balisongs and gravity knives."
http://us.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=1

I haven't seen any other websites cover this so I'm wondering if this is all true as outlined on kniferights.org. Any information, insight or thoughts are appreciated.
 
You might want to contact New River Knife Works (BF member under same name) and ask this question. He's based in Princeton, WV, and might be able to answer your question. Also, be aware that WV might or might not be a "non-preemptive state". If they are, then state laws should be the norm everywhere in WV. If they aren't, you'll need to check local laws where you're planning to move.
 
Yes it is true. West Virginia's knife laws fall under Chapter 61 of the state law, specifically Article 7, sections 2 and 3

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/WVCODE/ChapterEntire.cfm?chap=61&art=7&section=2#07
http://www.wvlegislature.gov/WVCODE/ChapterEntire.cfm?chap=61&art=7&section=3#07

Long story short, Section 3 says you can't carry a concealed deadly weapon if your under 21. If you're 21 and up, the whole thing doesn't apply, even for switchblades. The same law also made WV an unrestricted state (so called "constitutional carry" though I hate that term) for carrying a handgun concealed, again so long as you are 21 and up and don't have a record or some other legal prohibition on having a firearm.
 
I recently moved from WV and followed this closely. A knife is a "weapon" that is now exempt from the concealed carry law. Meaning: conceal your knife at will - almost any kind of knife!

Same goes for handguns. You can concealed carry in WV without a concealed permit (unless you are a "prohibited person" for some other reason).

Luckily my new home state (NV) just passed a similar law for knives (but not handguns).
 
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