| New concealed weapons holders can skip a federal background check, according to a deal reached between the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and
WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
Morrisey said any concealed weapons permit issued after June 4 will qualify for the exemption.
Currently, state residents who buy a gun from a licensed dealer are required to fill out a federal form and have the dealer conduct a federal background check by telephone. The process usually takes about 10 minutes, but can take longer.
Gun buyers must still fill out a page-long form, which asks buyers to confirm that they aren't prohibited from owning a gun, aren't addicted to drugs or alcohol, aren't mentally ill, haven't been convicted of a crime and asks a series of other questions.
West Virginia is the 23rd state to allow valid concealed weapons permit holders to skip the federal background check, a change proposed and supported by the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action.
| 
