West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Friday vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed carry without a permit, his office announced.
“Throughout my career, I have strongly supported the Second Amendment, as demonstrated by my repeated endorsements and high grades from the National Rifle Association,” Tomblin said in a written statement. “However, I must also be responsive to the apprehension of law enforcement officers from across the state, who have concerns about the bill as it relates to the safety of their fellow officers. It also would eliminate the required gun safety training courses for those applying for a concealed carry permit. In light of these concerns and in the interest of public safety for all West Virginians, I have vetoed Senate Bill 347.”
The bill’s provision for permitless concealed carry would have applied to those legally allowed to carry a firearm under state and federal law, but would have prohibited carry on certain public properties like the state Capitol, courthouses, public schools and colleges, Guns.com previously reported.
Had the governor signed the bill, West Virginia would have joined the ranks of Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming, which currently hold constitutional carry legal.
The post West Virginia governor vetoes constitutional carry bill appeared first on Guns.com.