BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey traveled to Cacapon Resort State Park and signed three bills relating to firearms into state law.
Morrisey told the crowd gathered at the park West Virginians are free and he plans to keep it that way.
The governor signed into law:
Senate Bill 270, which designates the sale, repair, and manufacture of firearms and related items as essential businesses, preventing their restriction during emergencies.
The bill goes on to prohibit government entities from enacting broad regulations on firearms, ammunition and accessories during such times, with specific exceptions for scenarios like self-defense or lawful arrests. West Virginia was among the states that considered firearms stores essential during the covid-19 pandemic.
“We all knew what it was like when the government stripped away our rights from us. I want to say never again,” Morrisey said.
Morrisey said decisions made during emergency conditions shouldn’t be left to the wisdom of the state’s elected leaders at the time.
“Now, our gun rights were not affected during Covid because of practices that were made, but that shouldn’t be left to a governor. That should be embedded in law,” Morrisey said.
“We did see other states trying to use states of emergency and other scare tactics impacting guns or other rights from citizens. I want to make sure that never happens in West Virginia, regardless who’s in the Legislature or the Governor’s Mansion.”
House Bill 2067 introduces the “West Virginia Firearms Marketing Clarification Act.”
The legislation establishes specific limitations for bringing negligent marketing claims against firearm and ammunition sellers or manufacturers.
House Bill 3342 is known as the Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act. The legislation prohibits governmental entities from contracting with financial institutions that discriminate against firearm entities or trade associations.
“As governor, I will always support and defend West Virginians’ God-given constitutional rights,” Morrisey said.
“The bills I signed today further enshrine West Virginia’s strong support for the Second Amendment. Thank you to the legislature for working with me to get this done.”
Governor Morrisey’s presentation can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/WVGovernor/videos/1388580022493025/
