Gun Permit Rules Examined Again

After Gov. Tomblin vetoed the idea earlier this year, a push to let people carry hidden guns without permits is regaining steam. After vetoing a measure in March making concealed carry permits optional, the governor cited safety concerns and an outcry from law enforcement. Republican state Senate President Bill Cole says there is enough support for the measure to revisit it in January. It’s legal to carry a gun openly — like in a holster — without a permit in West Virginia. With the proposed change, gun carriers wouldn’t need a permit to cover their weapons with a coat, or something similar. If Tomblin vetoes the bill again, the Republican-led Legislature would need only a simple majority to overturn the veto.