A bill moving through the West Virginia Senate would allow machine guns to be sold at state police headquarters.
Senate Bill 1071 creates the Office of Public Defense, led by the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police, and sets up a process for qualified buyers to purchase post-1986 machine guns. Applicants would undergo fingerprinting and an enhanced background check, with final approval from the ATF. Guns would come from surplus law enforcement inventory or manufacturers, with proceeds covering program costs and excess funds going to the state’s General Revenue Fund.
Some lawmakers and law enforcement representatives raised concerns about potential conflicts with federal law, while gun rights advocates argued the bill is fully lawful.
The measure now heads to the Senate Finance Committee.