SB 449: Permitting compressed air and rimfire shooting teams in public schools - West Virginia

sb449 h edu am _1 adopted.htm → sb449 sfat martin _1 4-11 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill title was changed from an Education Committee amendment to a Senate amendment, and the substantive text was replaced with a comprehensive description of the bill's purpose. The original amendment focused narrowly on adding specific storage language about air and rimfire rifles on school buses, while the new text provides a full legislative summary covering when and where these weapons may be permitted on school buses and at educational facilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from a narrow amendment about rifle storage on school buses to a comprehensive legislative summary that defines when air rifles and rimfire rifles are permitted on school buses and at educational facilities, specifically during transportation to or from school-sponsored shooting team events.

SCOPE

Changed from a narrow amendment about rifle storage to a comprehensive bill summary covering permitted use of air rifles and rimfire rifles on school buses and at educational facilities.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that air rifles and rimfire rifles and ammunition must be locked up in locations where students do not have access during the school day or at times other than school-sponsored team events or practices.

Added requirements that air rifles and rimfire rifles and ammunition stored on school buses must be placed in a locked case and located in a specific location determined by state or county transportation directors.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed eligibility criteria to permit air rifles and rimfire rifles solely during transportation to or from school-sponsored shooting team events at primary or secondary educational facilities.

Committee Substitute → sb449 h edu am _1 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that air rifles and rimfire rifles can be transported on school buses and stored on school grounds for shooting team purposes, with specific storage requirements. The amendment adds ammunition to the permitted items and requires rifles stored on school buses to be in locked cases in locations determined by transportation directors. It also adds exemptions for concealed handgun permit holders and mascots to the existing list of exceptions to firearm possession bans on school property.

Scope change

Expanded permitted activities to include ammunition and added specific storage requirements for rifles on school buses, while also expanding exemptions to include concealed handgun permit holders and mascots.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that air rifles and rimfire rifles stored on school buses must be placed in locked cases in locations determined by state or county transportation directors

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemption for persons 21 or older with valid concealed handgun permits from firearm possession restrictions on school property

Added exemption for official mascots of West Virginia University and Parkersburg South High School from firearm possession restrictions

SCOPE

Clarified that ammunition is included among permitted items alongside air rifles and rimfire rifles for shooting team purposes

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill adds a new section permitting air rifles and rimfire rifles on school buses and school grounds solely for shooting team events, while requiring strict storage and lock-up procedures when not in use. It also amends existing dangerous weapons laws to explicitly exempt these specific firearms from general prohibitions when used for approved educational purposes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of permitted firearms on school property by creating a specific exception for air rifles and rimfire rifles used by school shooting teams, which were previously not explicitly addressed in the code.

SCOPE

New section §18-2-46 permits air rifles and rimfire rifles on school buses and school grounds exclusively during transportation to/from shooting team events and at school-sponsored shooting team functions.

REQUIREMENT

Mandates that air rifles, rimfire rifles, and ammunition must be locked in a location inaccessible to students during the school day or at any time not related to school-sponsored team events or practices.

ADDED

Requires rifles and ammunition stored on school buses to be placed in locked cases in specific locations determined by state or county transportation directors.

ELIGIBILITY

Amends §61-7-11a to add explicit exemptions for air rifles and rimfire rifles possessed for shooting team purposes, referencing the new §18-2-46 section.

DEFINITION

Adds new definitions for 'air rifle' and 'rimfire rifle' to clarify what types of firearms are covered by the new provisions.

ENFORCEMENT

Adds new subsections to §61-7-11a regarding reporting violations by school principals and license suspension procedures for adjudicated minors.

Introduced Version → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 5 edits · Apr 24, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended from an introductory version to an enrolled committee substitute version, adding significant substantive changes including a new section (§18-2-46) that explicitly permits air rifles and rimfire rifles on school buses and school grounds for shooting teams, while requiring strict storage and locking procedures. The amended version also updated the existing dangerous weapons statute (§61-7-11a) to create a specific exemption for air rifles and rimfire rifles used by shooting teams, clarifying that these firearms are not considered violations when possessed for team purposes under the new section.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general proposal to explicitly authorize air rifles and rimfire rifles on school buses and school grounds for shooting teams, with specific storage requirements added to ensure student safety.

SCOPE

Added new section §18-2-46 that explicitly permits air rifles and rimfire rifles on school buses solely during transportation to/from shooting team events, on school grounds for shooting team purposes, and at school-sponsored shooting team functions.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory storage requirements requiring air rifles and rimfire rifles and ammunition to be locked in locations where students do not have access during school days or non-event times, with school bus storage requiring locked cases in specific locations determined by transportation directors.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified §61-7-11a(b)(2) to add specific exemption (I) for air rifles and rimfire rifles possessed for shooting team purposes to the extent permitted by the new §18-2-46 section.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'air rifle' or 'compressed air rifle' and 'rimfire rifle' to clarify what firearms are covered by the new provisions.

TECHNICAL

Changed document format from introduced bill version to enrolled committee substitute version with updated legislative history, sponsor information, and certification signatures.

Permitting compressed air and rimfire shooting teams in public schools

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