CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A bill introduced this week in the West Virginia House of Delegates would repeal the state law that currently makes it illegal to possess machine guns.
House Bill 4185, introduced by Delegate Chuck Horst during the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, seeks to repeal §61-7-9 of West Virginia state code — the section that criminalizes the possession of fully automatic firearms.
If passed, the bill would remove state-level penalties tied specifically to owning or possessing machine guns. The proposal does not add new regulations or replacement language; instead, it simply eliminates the existing prohibition from state law.
According to the bill’s stated purpose, the intent is to repeal the statute that makes possession of a fully automatic weapon unlawful under West Virginia law.
Supporters of the measure argue it aligns with broader Second Amendment protections and limits government restrictions on firearms. Opponents, however, are expected to raise concerns about public safety and the potential implications of allowing machine gun possession without state-level restrictions.
House Bill 4185 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it will be debated before any further action is taken.
