Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Kanawha County. Charleston, the West Virginia state capital, sits where the Elk River meets the Kanawha River. Next door in South Charleston, the Naval Ordnance Plant built during World War I made armor plate and naval gun forgings, and it ran again during World War II before becoming today's South Charleston Industrial Park.
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where West Virginia law allows.
West Virginia has no state permit to purchase and no state waiting period for buying a rifle or handgun from a licensed dealer. The dealer runs the federal background check on Form 4473, and federal age rules apply: 18 for rifles and shotguns, 21 for handguns from a dealer. Rifles from our store ship to the FFL dealer you choose, where you complete the transfer. An ATF 03 Curio and Relic licensee can generally receive C&R-eligible rifles directly under federal law; West Virginia does not appear to add a separate rule, but confirm with your dealer before ordering.
Dealers in these communities all work for Charleston-area buyers:
According to the West Virginia Attorney General's 2026 handbook, citizens and legal residents 18 or older who are not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed handgun in the state without a license. Residents 21 or older may still get an optional concealed handgun license for travel to states that honor it, and residents 18 to 20 may get a provisional license. These licenses are issued by the sheriff's office in your county of residence. Some states recognize West Virginia licenses but not provisional ones. Prohibited places still apply. Confirm fees and training requirements with the Kanawha County Sheriff.
WVDNR publishes season dates in its 2026-2027 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary. The buck firearms season traditionally opens the Monday before Thanksgiving and runs two weeks, so check the current summary for exact 2026 dates. Kanawha County is open to firearms deer hunting, while Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties are closed to it. Hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange and electronically check big game. Centerfire rifles such as .30-06, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x54R and .303 British are commonly used for deer. Use expanding hunting bullets rather than full metal jacket surplus ammunition, and read the summary for any ammunition limits.
Kanawha County is open during the buck firearms season. Kanawha State Forest south of the city, Wallback WMA in Clay County and Big Ugly WMA in Lincoln County are nearby public lands with WVDNR ranges.
Steep hardwood hollows come right up to the city limits, and deer and squirrel hunting are part of everyday life in the Kanawha Valley. The free covered range in Kanawha State Forest, about seven miles south of downtown, is a regular stop for local shooters.
The public ranges listed on the city pages are run or listed by the state wildlife agency, a state forest or a national forest, chosen by distance from each city. Licenses, passes and range hours are set by the agency.
Source: State wildlife agency and public-land range listings, October 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in South Charleston, St. Albans, Dunbar, Charleston or anywhere in Kanawha County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.
No, if you are 18 or older and not prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to the Attorney General's 2026 handbook. An optional license from the county sheriff helps when you travel.
WVDNR lists a covered range in Kanawha State Forest about seven miles south of Charleston, with a 100-yard backstop and 11 benches. It closes on the first Monday of each month for maintenance.
Yes. The firearms deer closures apply to Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties. Check the WVDNR regulations summary for the current season dates.
Yes, where state and local law allow; some cities add storage or transport rules. Store it unloaded and locked, with the bolt kept separately if you want an extra safeguard.
Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of October 2026. See our buying guide and check with Kanawha County Sheriff or a local attorney about your own situation.