2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in West Virginia (WV) for 2026

2026 Firearm Ownership Restrictions in West Virginia

In West Virginia, the minimum age to purchase long guns (rifles, shotguns, and ammunition) from a licensed dealer (FFL) is 18 years old. Buyers looking to purchase handguns from an FFL must be at least 21 years old due to federal law. No permits or registration are required to own a firearm in this state.

Individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms (West Virginia Code 61-7-7) if they fall into any of the following categories:

• Felony Convictions: Have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for over one year.
• Substance Use: Are habitually addicted to alcohol or are unlawful users of or addicted to controlled substances.
• Mental Health: Have been adjudicated as mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed to a mental institution.
• Legal Status: Are aliens in the United States illegally or unlawfully, or have been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions.
• Domestic Violence:
  • Are subject to a domestic violence protective order, including cases where there’s a credible threat to an intimate partner or child.
  • Have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses related to assault or battery involving specific types of relationships (e.g., current or former spouse, intimate partner, cohabitant).

Individuals prohibited from possessing firearms may petition the circuit court in their county of residence to regain this right, provided they meet certain criteria.

FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

• Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
• Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
• Felony pre-trial release.
• Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
• Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
• Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Renounced U.S. citizenship.
• Illegal alien.

Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

West Virginia is generally a gun-friendly state, but the legal burden on private sellers is still serious. Since the state does not require a background check for private sales, the seller carries the entire liability.

Under West Virginia Code 61-7-10, it is a crime to sell or transfer a firearm to a person prohibited from possession (e.g., a convicted felon or an individual subject to a protective order), with potential penalties including fines and jail time. Navigating this liability while verifying a buyer’s legal status can be stressful and overwhelming.

Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all West Virginia and federal regulations.

We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), who is government-licensed to manage the legal transfer process and fully assumes the compliance liability by running the mandatory background check on the receiving end.

The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us.

When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

Begin our safe and discrete process here.