A loud round of applause rang out
in the House of Delegates Chamber Monday afternoon after House members gave
unanimous approval to a bill that would allow guns to be in locked vehicles on
the grounds of the state capitol complex.
Del. Gary Howell, R-Mineral, said
that’s currently illegal but not that many people realize it.
“We have a lot of people that come
down to visit us at the capitol and have conceal carry (gun permits), park in
the parking lot and don’t know that’s illegal,” Howell said. “This corrects
that problem.”
Del. Justin Marcum, D-Mingo, said
the bill only allows the guns if there’s a legal conceal carry permit.
“This bill would allow a person who
is lawfully carrying a gun in their vehicle to leave the gun locked in their
car while on the state capitol complex,” Marcum said.
The bill would also impact state
lawmakers who have conceal carry permits. Del. Danny Wells, D-Kanawha, pointed
out there are parking spaces very close to the governor’s mansion.
“There will be about 20 spaces in
front of the mansion, about a few feet from the mansion door, where you’ll be
able to carry a concealed weapon in a car with a permit,” Wells said.
The bill passed 96-0 and was forwarded to the state Senate.
