# W. Va. Code § 61-7-8: Possession of deadly weapons by minors; prohibitions

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S8

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 61-7-8
- **Heading:** Possession of deadly weapons by minors; prohibitions
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 61 / Article 7 / Section 8

## Text

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, a person under the age of 18 years who is not married or otherwise emancipated shall not possess or carry concealed or openly any deadly weapon: Provided, That a minor may possess a firearm upon premises owned by the minor or his or her family or on the premises of another with the permission of his or her parent or guardian and in the case of property other than his or her own or that of his or her family, with the permission of the owner or lessee of the property: Provided, however, That nothing in this section shall prohibit a minor from possessing a firearm while hunting in a lawful manner or while traveling from a place where he or she may lawfully possess a deadly weapon, to a hunting site, and returning to a place where he or she may lawfully possess the weapon.

A violation of this section by a person under the age of 18 years shall subject the child to the jurisdiction of the circuit court under the provisions of §49-4-701 through §49-4-725 of this code, and the minor may be proceeded against in the same manner as if he or she had committed an act which if committed by an adult would be a crime, and may be adjudicated delinquent.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-1 §61-7-1. Legislative findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-2 §61-7-2. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-3 §61-7-3. Carrying a deadly weapon without provisional license or other authorization by persons under twenty-one years of age; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-4 §61-7-4. License to carry deadly weapons; how obtained.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-4A §61-7-4a. Provisional license to carry deadly weapons; how obtained.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S4A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-5 §61-7-5. Revocation of license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-6 §61-7-6. Exceptions as to prohibitions against carrying concealed handguns for persons at least eighteen years of age and fewer than twenty-one years of age; exemptions from licensing fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-6A §61-7-6a. Reciprocity and recognition; out-of-state concealed handgun permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S6A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-7 §61-7-7. Persons prohibited from possessing firearms; classifications; right of nonprohibited persons over twenty-one years of age to carry concealed deadly weapons; offenses and penalties; reinstatement of rights to possess; offenses; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-8 §61-7-8. Possession of deadly weapons by minors; prohibitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-9 §61-7-9. Possession of machine guns, penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S9.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-10 §61-7-10. Deadly weapons for sale or hire; sale to prohibited persons; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S10.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-11 §61-7-11. Brandishing deadly weapons; threatening or causing breach of the peace; criminal penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S11.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-7-11A §61-7-11a. Possessing deadly weapons on premises of educational facilities; reports by school principals; suspension of driver’s license; possessing deadly weapons on premises housing courts of law and family law courts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S11A.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A7_S8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.