# W. Va. Code § 61-7C-4: Predicate exception limitation; construction

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7C_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 61-7C-4
- **Heading:** Predicate exception limitation; construction
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 61 / Article 7C / Section 4

## Text

(a) The predicate exception under the PLCAA may not be interpreted broadly. A claim may proceed only if the specifically cited statute was violated in the following manner:

(1) The statute explicitly regulates firearms or ammunition;

(2) The statute provides clear, concrete requirements that the manufacturer or seller failed to meet; and

(3) The violation of the statute was a proximate cause of the harm in question.

(b) General state consumer protection laws or public nuisance laws may not be considered statutes "applicable to the sale or marketing" of firearms or ammunition for the purposes of the predicate exception.

(c) The predicate exception may not be interpreted broadly to result in general consumer marketing statutes circumventing the PLCAA.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 61-7C-1 §61-7C-1. Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7C_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7C-2 §61-7C-2. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7C_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7C-3 §61-7C-3. Limitations on negligent marketing claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7C_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7C-4 §61-7C-4. Predicate exception limitation; construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7C_S4.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7C_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.