In a daring transfer that might place West Virginia because the undisputed chief in Second Modification safety, state Senators Chris Rose and Zack Maynard launched Senate Invoice 1071 on February 23, 2026, the ultimate day for brand spanking new Senate payments this session. Titled the Public Protection and Provisioning Act, SB1071 would create a state-run Workplace of Public Protection throughout the West Virginia State Police to acquire and promote fashionable, select-fire machine weapons on to certified, law-abiding residents.
The invoice is now bottled up within the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Tom Willis (R-Berkeley). And not using a public listening to and swift development, this historic laws will die earlier than it ever reaches the ground. That’s the reason each gun proprietor, hunter, veteran, and freedom-loving West Virginian should instantly decide up the cellphone and e mail Chairman Willis at 304-357-7867 and [email protected].
Inform him clearly: “Schedule a listening to for SB1071 now. West Virginians demand the appropriate to defend themselves with the simplest arms out there below the legislation.”
This isn’t hyperbole. SB1071 represents one of the vital alternatives in many years to reclaim floor misplaced to federal overreach. For almost 40 years, the 1986 Hughes Modification has banned civilians from buying newly manufactured machine weapons. Pre-1986 transferable machine weapons now promote for tens of 1000’s of {dollars} attributable to synthetic shortage. The consequence? Solely the rich elite or those that already personal them can afford true select-fire functionality.
SB1071 flips the script utilizing the very language Congress wrote into federal legislation. The Hughes Modification, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), explicitly states that the machine gun prohibition “doesn’t apply with respect to a switch to or by, or possession by or below the authority of, a State or any division or political subdivision thereof.”
The invoice creates a state company that purchases machine weapons and transfers them “by” and “below the authority of” the State of West Virginia. These transfers are due to this fact totally compliant with federal legislation and, critically, exempt from the Nationwide Firearms Act’s $200 switch tax as a result of they’re government-facilitated.
The invoice’s legislative findings lay out the constitutional case in crystal-clear phrases. Citing District of Columbia v. Heller, it reminds lawmakers that the Second Modification protects “all devices that represent bearable arms,” together with these “not in existence on the time of the founding.” Machine weapons are the very “arms of recent warfare” that the Founders supposed residents to own to keep up a well-regulated militia able to repelling invasions, suppressing insurrections, and resisting tyranny. West Virginia’s personal Structure, Article III, Part 22, ensures the appropriate to maintain and bear arms for “protection of self, household, dwelling and state, and for lawful searching and leisure use.”
Certified individuals, any grownup who can legally possess firearms below state and federal legislation, would endure commonplace background checks at State Police troop headquarters. The Workplace would, the place potential, prioritize West Virginia producers, function distribution factors utilizing present amenities, and problem official state certificates of switch. Subsequent transfers between certified residents would require a easy $275 re-transfer price by means of the Workplace (waived for heirs). A $250 surcharge per gun plus a modest administrative price (capped at $50) would circulate into a brand new Public Protection Fund to cowl prices, producing income for the state with out elevating taxes.
Gun House owners of America (GOA), which drafted the invoice, calls it a “sensible, lawful method that operates throughout the language already written into federal legislation.” Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, and state allies emphasize that this isn’t about increasing authorities paperwork. No new buildings or large workers are wanted. It makes use of present State Police infrastructure. But the financial upside is big: reasonably priced machine weapons will draw new residents, enhance firearm producers, create jobs in gross sales, coaching, and ranges, and place West Virginia as a Second Modification vacation spot. Think about gun fanatics from throughout the nation flocking to the Mountain State to buy and practice with tools beforehand reserved for the ultra-wealthy or legislation enforcement.
Critics will scream “machine weapons for civilians!” However the information destroy that hysteria. Regulation-abiding residents have owned totally computerized firearms for the reason that founding of the US. The federal authorities itself has lengthy allowed states, municipalities, and even universities to own machine weapons. The U.S. army routinely transfers computerized weapons to Nationwide Guard models and police departments.
Why ought to peculiar residents, the last word militia, be denied the identical instruments?
West Virginia’s proud heritage of independence makes this invoice an ideal match. From the coal fields to the searching camps, Mountaineers have all the time understood that freedom requires the means to defend it. SB1071 honors that spirit. It says to each veteran who carried an M4 in fight: “You defended us with these arms; now you’ll be able to personal them too.” Tells each mom defending her household: “You don’t should accept semi-auto when the legislation permits higher.” It tells tyrants and criminals: “In West Virginia, the persons are armed because the Founders supposed.”
The timing couldn’t be extra crucial. The 2026 Common Session started January 14 and adjourns March 14. Payments should exit committees by the forty seventh day (early March). SB1071 was launched on the forty first day. Each hour counts. And not using a listening to within the Judiciary, it can not advance to Finance or the total Senate. Chairman Willis holds the gavel. He decides the agenda. He decides whether or not West Virginians get to testify in assist.
That’s the reason your voice issues proper now. One name or e mail is sweet. Ten calls out of your gun membership are higher. A coordinated flood from each county is unstoppable. When the cellphone strains mild up and inboxes overflow with well mannered however agency constituent calls for, committees transfer. Historical past proves it.
Contact Chairman Tom Willis at the moment:
Cellphone: 304-357-7867
Electronic mail: [email protected]
Pattern script: “Chairman Willis, I’m a law-abiding gun proprietor. SB1071 is a common sense, constitutionally sound invoice that makes use of present federal legislation to revive entry to fashionable firearms for certified residents. Please schedule a listening to instantly and transfer it ahead. West Virginians are watching, and we anticipate actual management on the Second Modification.”
Copy your individual senator and consultant, too, however prioritize the Chairman. He’s the gatekeeper.
This battle is larger than one invoice. If West Virginia succeeds, different pro-gun states will observe. The roadmap is about: state companies can legally switch machine weapons to residents. The Hughes Modification’s stranglehold begins to crack.
Opponents of gun rights know this. They may foyer quietly in opposition to a listening to. They hope apathy wins. Don’t allow them to. West Virginia’s motto is “Mountaineers Are All the time Free.” Show it.
Gun homeowners constructed this state’s popularity for fierce independence. Now’s the second to defend it legislatively. Decide up the cellphone. Ship the e-mail. Do it at the moment. Do it tomorrow. Preserve doing it till Chairman Willis schedules the listening to.
The way forward for the Second Modification in West Virginia and probably the nation hangs within the steadiness. Let your voices be heard loud and clear in Charleston.
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About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA teacher and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed folks from all walks of life, and on the Structure. John lives in Northern Virginia together with his spouse and sons, observe him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
