West Virginia House Passes Bill Allowing Concealed Carry Without Permit for Young Adults

The bill would let 18-20 year olds carry concealed weapons without a license, drawing debate over gun rights and public safety.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would allow adults aged 18-20 to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The bill also proposes exceptions for those caught carrying a concealed weapon without a license. The measure sparked debate, with some lawmakers arguing it would strengthen Second Amendment rights and protect school safety, while others expressed concerns about the lack of required safety training.

Why it matters

This bill is part of a broader national debate over gun rights and regulations, particularly around concealed carry laws and the appropriate age for firearm ownership. Supporters argue it upholds constitutional freedoms, while critics worry it could compromise public safety without proper training and licensing requirements.

The details

The bill passed the House by a vote of 87-9, with most of the support coming from Republicans. However, one Republican, Delegate Stanley Adkins, joined Democrats in voting against the measure. Conversely, Democrat Delegate Sean Fluharty voted with the Republican majority in favor of the bill. The legislation now heads to the State Senate, where it is expected to be taken up by the judiciary committee.

  • The West Virginia House of Delegates debated and passed the bill on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The bill previously made its way through the House Judiciary Committee last week.

The players

Dave Foggin

A Republican delegate who defended the bill, arguing it could help protect school children.

Hollis Lewis

A Democratic delegate who spoke against the bill, citing concerns about gun violence among young people.

Sean Hornbuckle

A Democratic delegate who opposed the bill, arguing it would eliminate the safety training requirement for 18-20 year olds to obtain a concealed carry license.

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What they’re saying

“The smallest, weakest kid walks through the door with a gun. Complete control. And that's what I hope we're looking for, is the ability of an 18-year-old person to control their safety by being able to carry a gun if they want to.”

— Dave Foggin, Republican Delegate (wowktv.com)

“And I can tell you from somebody who has had countless friends murdered, killed, shot at those tender ages, and we speak about the biggest, toughest kid coming in the room to fight... We don't want to infringe on anybody's constitutional rights, but we need common sense guardrails in order to stop people from hurting themselves or hurting others.”

— Hollis Lewis, Democratic Delegate (wowktv.com)

“West Virginia has some of the highest rates in the country when it comes to gun ownership – which I think is a good thing – roughly in any given year, probably somewhere in between 58% and 60% of the population owning that. This is about the process to bear arms. Currently right now, the way it is set up under our current code: 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds– they have to get a license. And with that license comes safety training. The bill before us today would do away with all of that.”

— Sean Hornbuckle, Democratic Delegate (wowktv.com)

What’s next

The bill will now be taken up by the West Virginia State Senate's judiciary committee.

The takeaway

This bill reflects the ongoing national debate over gun rights and regulations, particularly around concealed carry laws and the appropriate age for firearm ownership. Supporters argue it upholds constitutional freedoms, while critics worry it could compromise public safety without proper training and licensing requirements.