According to Firearm Chronicles
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey is advising sheriffs in the state that they need to continue accepting and processing concealed carry applications, even if their offices are taking steps to limit exposure to the coronavirus.
The AG says one way departments can keep staff safe while continuing to ensure residents can exercise their right to carry is to simply accept applications by mail instead of requiring applicants to appear in person.
Morrisey sent a letter to sheriffs for all 55 counties in the state to provide information on how to process applications for and renewals of concealed handgun licenses during the ongoing state of emergency. “Nothing in state code requires applicants for concealed handgun licenses to show up in person,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “While we want our residents to be safe and practice good social distancing, we also want to ensure they can still exercise their right to keep and bear arms.” Applications may be accepted by mail or could be collected through a dropbox outside the sheriff’s office.
West Virginia is a constitutional carry state, which means that legal gun owners can carry without a license, but for residents who may work or shop in neighboring states like Virginia or Ohio, a concealed carry license is still necessary if they want to carry across the border.
In the letter sent to sheriffs, Morrissey points out that if their offices don’t continue to process concealed carry applications in a timely manner, it could pose a threat to reciprocity agreements with other states.