Campus carry weapons law debuts in West Virginia, joins 11 other states
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — People with a permit to carry a weapon concealed may possess firearms on public college and university campuses in West Virginia under a state law that went into effect Monday.
Colleges and universities can introduce exceptions to the law, which prohibits openly carrying a firearm on campus.
Similar legislation has been passed in 11 other states.
Like the bill moved through the legislature Last year, the presidents of West Virginia’s largest schools told lawmakers that decisions about whether to allow guns on campus should be left to the institutions. They also expressed concerns about students struggling with mental health issues.
When Republican Governor Jim Justice signed the law in March 2023, he said he wanted the law to βsend a message to the world: By God, if you want to mess with us, we can mess with you back.β
Schools can regulate firearms in residence halls, but not in common areas such as lounges, dining rooms and study halls. The law also prohibits people from bringing guns into venues with a capacity of more than 1,000 spectators β stadiums for football games, for example β or into on-campus daycare centers.
Exceptions to the law are allowed in areas where a disciplinary procedure for a student or employee is being held. Weapons may also be restricted in specifically designated areas where patient care or mental health care is provided.
Colleges and universities must provide a secure location for storage of a pistol or revolver in at least one residence hall on campus, or make safes available in residence halls, for which a fee may apply.
West Virginia University has a campus safety group to address the law. Gun lockers are available to students living in residence halls for $140 per semester, said Dean of Students Corey Farris. He said the university has received five requests for gun lockers on its campuses, including four in Morgantown. The university estimates it will cost $1 million to implement the law.