WV delegate relates CC'ers to criminals

[Crimp]

Good news: The West Virginia House Judiciary Committee on Monday passed HB 4026, which will close public access to concealed handgun license records.

Bad news: HB 4026 passed the Judiciary Committee with only one dissenting vote, that of anti-gun Delegate Bonnie Brown, D-Kanawha, who believes that those of us who legally carry a gun for self-defense are to be feared and treated like criminals rather than the real criminals, who prefer unarmed victims.

The nearly 83,000 West Virginia CHL holders, and Kanawa County residents in particular, might want to drop her a line or respond with a letter to the editor of the Charleston Gazette. Her email: [email protected]

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200802180578

One vote against

Only one member of the committee - Kanawha County Democrat Bonnie Brown - voted against making secret the names of people who receive permits to carry concealed weapons.

Delegate Bill Hamilton sponsored the bill (HB4026). The Upshur County Republican said women in his district approached him last year because they did not want their names run in newspapers. The House passed a similar bill last year, but it failed to pass the Senate.

Some of his local newspapers also publish street addresses, Hamilton said, and victims of domestic violence did not want that information made public.

Gun permits are currently public record and are available to anyone.

Before getting a permit, a person must pay a $25 fee, complete a gun safety course and pass a background check. [actually, it's $90]

Under the bill, police would have access to the permit, but a woman working in the State Police records division said it would take a special area to have such information available on statewide records.

Brown said she doesn't like the idea of concealed weapons permits anyway. West Virginia law allows residents to carry guns unconcealed without any permission.

"I read those lists so I know who to stay away from," she said. "This goes against the public's right to know."

Committee counsel said the legislation was written to exempt the records from the state's Freedom of Information Act.

Other news concerning West Virginia CHL holders can always be found at the West Virginia Citizens Defense League site. You may also sign up to obtain breaking news via email.

 

[Buttermilk]

With the freedom of speech and equal time, please demand a list of all people who are NOT concealed carry authorized, and print it, so the criminals will know who they can hit and be safe. Maybe the criminals will leave all my CCW buddies alone then and we won't have to worry about buying so much ammo every year!

 

[LAR-15]

It figures she would be from Kanawha County.

 

[Coronach]

Is there a question about the law here?

 

[Coronach]

Is there a question about the law here?