House Bill 2519 allowing concealed carry of weapons, was approved by the West Virginia House of Representatives on February 26.  The bill would allow people who legally have a concealed handgun license to carry on campus. Although the current state law does not prohibit carrying of a defensive firearm on campus, institutions have had the right to establish weapons policies, including expulsion if you are caught having one on campus. When the bill went to the Senate Judiciary Committee, it was not sent to the full senate for a vote. This effectively killed the bill for this legislative session.

Although the bill didn't make it into law, the bill and its stipulations still should be addressed. There were some exceptions to the bill. You wouldn’t be able to carry the weapon in arenas or at events with over 1000 people attending, daycare facilities on campus, campus police facilities, or places with metal detectors.It would require colleges to provide storage lockers for the weapons and charges fees for storage which could be seen as a positive or negative thing depending on how much the lockers cost versus how much the charge for storage fees.

One amendment that was also running the possibility of being passed would keep students under the age of 21 from being capable of carrying a weapon campus even with a permit of some kind. It would also require students to complete extra firearms training in order to carry their weapon as well. The bill would also have kept guns from places where disciplinary hearings take place, areas where they would hold any kind of elementary, middle or high school events, or in locations being rented by people that are not connected to the college. Although it would allow a college to keep weapons out of places with at least one door, walls and is used by a single person as a workplace. Also, concealed carry weapons can be kept out of on-campus residence halls,except in areas such as lounges, dining areas and study areas. In addition to that weapons that are completely or partially seen would not be allowed. It also keeps schools from any kind of liability. They would also have kept weapons from being allowed on college transport. It would allow colleges to expel or suspend students that brought a weapon into an area that its not allowed in. Although some schools, private schools that is, are not affected by this. It would also cost colleges 11.6 million dollars within the first year.

Though you might be curious how people feel about it. It's unsurprising to see that there was an overwhelming amount of negative feedback. There were several protests and rallies against the new bill. Some for fear that it might scare away future student prospects, others because they’re against guns for all the regular gun reasons, and even others for monetary reasons. Although there are of course those that are all for it. More than likely for the normal gun supporting reasons. Though none of that matters much anymore due to it being shot down it should be still be acknowledged and those that might be affected should educate themselves. Although the law did not pass this session, there is talk about bringing it back next year.