Ohio And West Virginia Enter Into A Reciprocity Agreement

The Buckeye Firearms Association has learned that Ohio and West Virginia have entered into a reciprocity agreement, and will now honor each other's concealed handgun licenses. With the addition of West Virginia, Ohio now has reciprocity with 17 states, and our CHL is honored by another 7 states.

This is another victory in the fight to restore our Second Amendment rights, and makes travel more "gun friendly" for Ohio's concealed handgun license holders.

West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw's press release can be accessed by clicking 'Read More'.

Attorney General Darrell McGraw Announces Concealed Handgun Reciprocity

Agreements With Other States and Raises the Awareness of Gun Safety

Charleston - Attorney General Darrell McGraw today announced concealed
weapon reciprocity agreements with other states.

"West Virginians with valid concealed handgun permits are allowed to
carry concealed handguns in KY, VA, NC, OH, FL and SD pursuant to
existing and new reciprocity agreements. We are currently in active
discussion with other states. We have received recognition by Michigan,
Montana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Vermont, but we do not have a
reciprocity agreement with the states," stated Attorney General Darrell
McGraw.

In conjunction with this announcement in order to raise awareness of gun
safety, today consumers can receive a free gun lock from 10:00 a.m. -
4:00 p.m. at the state police detachments in, Beckley, Elkins, Logan,
Morgantown, Moundsville, Parkersburg, South Charleston, and Sutton.
Consumers can also receive free gun locks from some of the local gun
shops in these regions. These locations include Flat Top Arms Inc. in
Beckley, B & J Pawn and Sport in Elkins, Marstiller's Gun Shop in
Morgantown, Hartley's Gun Shop in Moundsville, Carl's Gun Shop in
Parkersburg, and Mack & Dave's in Huntington.

"We have added a new section to our website detailing handgun
reciprocity agreements with other states. This information can be a
reference guide to the West Virginia concealed handgun reciprocity
agreements with other states for consumers, business owners and
visitors. For more information log on to www.wvago.gov or call the
Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-368-8808," stated Attorney General
Darrell McGraw.

During the 2007 legislative session House Bill 3074 was passed and
signed by Governor Manchin on March 9, 2007. This law transfers the
authority from Governor Manchin to Attorney General McGraw to negotiate
concealed weapon reciprocity with other states.

In order to enter into concealed weapon reciprocity agreements with
other states certain criteria must be met to ensure their licensing
requirements for their applicants are as stringent as West Virginia's.
Additionally the other state must have a database that is readily
available 24/7 that can verify the continuing validity of a concealed
weapons permit. For example, law enforcement officers need to be able to
prove a person's concealed handgun permit is not void due to a recent
felony or other legal disability. The states having concealed handgun
reciprocity agreements with West Virginia must notify the state if and
when their state concealed handgun laws change.

Attorney General Darrell McGraws's staff has been researching and
negotiating diligently with states over the last couple of months
preparing for the reciprocity law to go into effect. "There are five
different categories of states concerning reciprocity agreements. We
have focused on the contiguous states first. There are states who match
us and there are five or six states interested in reciprocity with us,
but questions exist as to whether West Virginia's requirements meet
theirs. There are about fifteen states that appear to recognize any
valid concealed weapons permit. Then there are states that don't meet
our criteria. The last category of states are very strict about
concealed weapons and do not have reciprocity laws with other states.
These would include New York, California and Illinois," stated Attorney
General Darrell McGraw.

"If West Virginia wants to maximize concealed weapon reciprocity with
other states the scope of a background check needs to be clarified and
updated. We hope to have recommendations for the legislature to consider
at its next regular session. The database needs to cover the entire
state and include all information about possible disabling behaviors. In
the states where there is some type of statutory problem that prevents
West Virginia from granting reciprocity, we are actively seeking West
Virginia's recognition of concealed weapons in their state," stated
Attorney General Darrell McGraw.

The press release is also available at the WV AG's website website.