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In Your StateWest Virginia

In Your State

West Virginia

West Virginia has had at least eight mass shootings since 2020 and guns are the number one leading cause of death of children. Lawmakers must do more to keep kids safe from gun violence. Learn more about what you can do to help in your state and community.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make West Virginia safer by passing Federal School Violence Prevention Laws.

West Virginia had the

22nd

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for West Virginia children.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

West Virginia had the

22nd

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for West Virginia children.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make West Virginia safer by passing Federal School Violence Prevention Laws.

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Increase School Violence Prevention

Our model legislation known as the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act (SAVE Students Act) makes lifesaving violence prevention training, like Sandy Hook Promise’s Know the Signs programs, available to all students in grades K-12.

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12

children died by gun fire.

203

West Virginians died by suicide with a firearm.

1

mass shooting.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

Gun Laws in West Virginia

Enhanced background checks
Restricts certain semi-automatic rifles
Secure storage
Temporary transfer

Our Impact in West Virginia

Throughout West Virginia, Sandy Hook Promise has engaged youth & adults in our mission and prevention programs.

39k

Supporters in the state

69

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

63k

Program participants in 173 schools, including first-time and repeat participants

270

Students involved in 8 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state

Prevent gun violence in West Virginia

You can help make West Virginia a safe place for kids and for your whole community. We urge the legislature to pass proven policy solutions, including emergency temporary transfer, secure storage, and closing the stranger-to-stranger loophole to prevent gun violence and tragedy. These policies keep the public safe from harm while protecting individual rights.

State Issue

Everyone experiences temporary moments of crisis. When that crisis is combined with a firearm, the outcomes can be deadly. Temporary transfer supports gun owners in crisis while protecting their rights and gets them help before things turn tragic.
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State Issue

A deadly loophole allows guns to be sold between a seller and a buyer who don’t know each other – and no background check is required. West Virginia can close this “stranger-to-stranger” loophole and expand background checks to prevent dangerous people from buying guns.
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State Issue

Too often, children accidentally find firearms in their home. This can lead to the death of themselves and family members. Secure storage laws can prevent these tragedies and make it easier for gun owners to keep firearms away from their young sons and daughters.
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Mark Barden
“We are proud to work with the bipartisan champions to ensure we're doing everything we can to protect our kids and that millions more students will be trained to know the signs of violence and act to save lives. Our work does not end here, we will continue to bring our prevention programs to schools and communities across the country and advocate for life-saving policies.”
Mark BardenSandy Hook Promise Co-Founder and Co-CEO

News and Resources

Stay informed about current issues and stories about preventing gun violence and promoting school safety.

Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Seattle Festival Mass ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Targeted Mass Shooting of East St. Louis FamilyRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Fourth of July Weekend Shootings in Several U.S. CitiesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Ohio Festival ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in IowaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Youth-Involved Shootings in Several U.S. CitiesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Thanks House Appropriators for Approving Increased STOP FundingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Weekend Mass Shootings in Texas and OklahomaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Increased Federal Budget to Strengthen School SafetyRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Responds to Federal Gun Policy ChangesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Murder of Eight Children in Shreveport, LouisianaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Applauds Kansas Legislature for Unanimously Passing the Students Safe at School ActRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Bulverde, Texas School ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Meta and YouTube Being Held Liable for Social Media AddictionRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion UniversityRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Verdict and Warning Signs Revealed in the Trial of the Apalachee High School Shooter’s FatherRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in Austin, TexasRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Six Killed in Two Connected Florida ShootingsRead More
Press ReleaseNew Report Calls for Platform Transparency to Support Family Conversations About Firearm Content OnlineRead More
Press ReleaseFear and Disruption in Schools: Sandy Hook Promise Calls for Safe, Trusting Learning EnvironmentsRead More

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