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UPDATE - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has vetoed Senate Bill 347, creating the Firearms Act of 2015, which would have allowed "free carry" of concealed weapons in West Virginia without a background check or training.
The legislature can easily override his veto in session.
"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.
"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," he said.
"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," Tomblin said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, said there were no safety concerns in the bill and bill proponent Sen. Kent Leonhardt, R-Monongalia, who represents Calhoun County, says the bill is simply an issue of freedom.
"The vote you're about to take is a vote for your Second Amendment rights," said Leonhardt, in supporting the bill.
More than 30 so-called gun rights bills have be entered in the WV legislature, some of which passed.
ORIGINAL STORY - "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," according to National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre, leading the USA into being the most gun-packing nation in the world.
Last year, politicos in the WV legislature introduced over 30 bills expanding gun rights.
A bill passed the WV Legislature to do away with Concealed Weapons Permits, essentially allowing any person over age 21 to carry a concealed weapon.
In committee, the only spokesperson for the bill was a representative of the National Rifle Association.
While there was significant opposition by law enforcement and a handful of senators, the bill passed.
Under the current law, county sheriffs issue concealed carry permits after an individual goes through an application process that includes a background check for criminal history or mental illness.
The applicant, under current law, must also complete a training course in order to ensure the proper handling and firing of a gun.
The proposed new law would abolish that.
If enacted, West Virginia would join Arizona, Alaska, Wyoming and Vermont as the only states in the nation to not require concealed handgun permits.
WV gun owners can now openly carry a gun without a permit, but anyone that wants to cover up their weapon is required to obtain a permit.
Proponents of the bill, including Sen. Kent Leonhardt, R-Monongalia, who represents Calhoun County, says the bill is simply an issue of freedom.
"The vote you're about to take is a vote for your Second Amendment rights," said Leonhardt.
Rodney Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Sheriff's Association, remained worried over the fact that the mandatory training that goes with the current application process would be eliminated.
Randolph County Sheriff Mark Brady said no one in his county has asked for changes to the current law.
Daniel Carey, representing the National Rifle Association, said the decision to seek training should ultimately be up to the individual gun owner. Carey likened the decision of a gun owner to seek training to someone that needed assistance for operating an iPad.
"The difference between an iPad and a gun is you can't kill anybody with an iPad," said Senator Romano in disagreement.
LINK 2014:GOV. TOMBLIN SIGNS NRA GUN CARRY EXPANSION BILL - Charleston Mayor Livid
(03/26/2014)
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