CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislation to legalize concealed carry of firearms without licenses, background checks or gun safety training is headed to the governor, after the House of Delegates and Senate reached an agreement on a final version of the bill Wednesday.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is expected to veto the bill (HB 4145), as he did a similar unlicensed concealed carry bill last year, when he cited overwhelming opposition from state law enforcement officers.
“In light of their concerns, and in the interest of public safety, I believe a veto is appropriate,” Tomblin stated in his veto message last year.
On Wednesday, Tomblin spokeswoman Shayna Varner said, “Last year, Gov. Tomblin vetoed the concealed carry bill at the urging of law enforcement officers who voiced serious concerns about the consequences of the bill. This year, law enforcement tried to work with legislators to develop a bill to alleviate some of those concerns, but they are not included at this point …
