That means concealed carry permits from West Virginia or Indiana will be mutually recognized as valid by either state.
“It has been a priority since I took office to protect the Second Amendment rights of West Virginians and those who visit here,” Morrisey said in a statement. “This agreement marks 33 states with which West Virginia has full reciprocity or recognition.”
Morrisey said mutual recognition is another positive step for legal gun owners living in West Virginia and Indiana.
The Attorney General’s Office recently engaged in talks with Indiana regarding the potential establishment of mutual recognition between the respective states. A letter from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence then provided the statutory notice required for West Virginia to mutually recognize Indiana’s concealed carry permits.
West Virginia license holders had been long able to carry concealed handguns in Indiana. This agreement allows Hoosiers visiting West Virginia to now enjoy the same freedom.
The agreement also underscores the benefit of having a concealed carry license. Even though West Virginians soon will be allowed to carry concealed handguns without a license within the Mountain State, such authorization is still required for out-of-state travel.
West Virginia residents with a valid concealed carry license may legally carry a concealed handgun in states with full reciprocity agreements, as well as those states whose laws do not require a formal agreement and automatically recognize valid out-of-state concealed handgun licenses.
West Virginia has full handgun reciprocity agreements or mutual recognition with 33 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.
For information regarding West Virginia concealed handgun licenses, visit the Attorney General’s Gun Reciprocity page at www.wvago.gov.