Is a Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in West Virginia?

Why

• West Virginia's official reciprocity list includes Virginia.
• West Virginia allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

W. Va. Code § 61-7-6a: an out-of-state permit is valid in WV only if the holder is 21+, has the permit in immediate possession, is NOT a West Virginia resident, and the issuing state recognizes WV CHLs (governor notification or written reciprocity agreement). The issuing state's permit need not be a resident permit, so qualifying non-resident permits count. Recognition is largely academic for visitors 21+, who may carry permitless anyway; under-21 out-of-state permit holders are NOT covered. Honored list derived from the AG's official reciprocity map (as of Oct 1, 2025): every permit-issuing state recognizes WV CHLs except CA, CT, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI and WA (Vermont issues no permits).

Carry rules in West Virginia

Whatever your permit status, West Virginia law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• No proactive duty-to-inform appears in WV statute, the AG's guide or the AG's FAQ; out-of-state holders must have the permit in immediate possession (§ 61-7-6a(a)(2)).
• West Virginia sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• West Virginia allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Permitless carry (21+, non-prohibited) extends to loaded handguns in vehicles. A lawfully possessed firearm may be kept locked and out of view in a vehicle in any parking lot (§ 61-7-14) and on the State Capitol Complex (§ 61-6-19(b)).

Off-limits places in West Virginia

West Virginia bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• State Capitol Complex (W. Va. Code § 61-6-19(b); locked-vehicle exception)
• Regional jails, detention facilities and Division of Corrections facilities (§ 61-5-8(c))

See all 5 places you can't carry in West Virginia →

Virginia vs West Virginia: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Virginia into West Virginia changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 36 states).

Going the other way, a West Virginia non-resident permit in Virginia: recognized — carry with your permit.

Driving on from West Virginia

How a Virginia non-resident permit fares in the states bordering West Virginia:

• Kentucky — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Maryland — Not recognized
• Ohio — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Pennsylvania — Not recognized

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does West Virginia honor a Virginia resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. The answer is the same as for the non-resident permit on this page.

Can a West Virginia non-resident permit holder carry in Virginia?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Virginia's law, not West Virginia's.

Where does West Virginia publish its official reciprocity list?

West Virginia publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.