§15-2-25. Rules generally; carrying of weapons upon retirement or medical discharge.

Subject to the written approval of the Governor and the provisions of this article, the superintendent may make and promulgate proper rules for the government, discipline and control of the West Virginia state police and shall also cause to be established proper rules for the examinations of all applicants for appointment thereto. The members of the West Virginia state police shall be permitted to carry arms and weapons and no license may be required for the privilege.

Upon retirement or medical discharge from the West Virginia state police and with the written consent of the superintendent, any retired or medically discharged member may carry a handgun for the life of the member following retirement or medical discharge notwithstanding the provisions of article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code: Provided, That the superintendent's written letter of consent to carry a handgun may not last for more than five years at a time and a retired or medically discharged member who wishes to continue to carry a handgun beyond five years of the date of his or her initial retirement or medical discharge must request and obtain a renewal of the superintendent's written permission to carry a handgun at least once every five years. A retired or medically discharged member desiring to carry a handgun after retirement or medical discharge must provide his or her own handgun. Upon request, each member shall be presented with a letter of authorization signed by the superintendent authorizing the retired or medically discharged member to carry a handgun. The written authorization shall be carried by the retired or medically discharged member at all times that he or she has a handgun on his or her person. The superintendent may not issue a letter of authorization to any retired or medically discharged member who is no longer employed by the State Police due to a mental disability or who the superintendent has reason to believe is mentally incapacitated to the extent it would present a threat of physical harm to one or more persons for the member to carry a concealed weapon. The superintendent may revoke the authority at any time without cause and without recourse. Conviction of the retired or medically discharged member for the commission of any felony or for a misdemeanor involving the improper or illegal use of a firearm shall cause this authority to terminate immediately without a hearing or other recourse and without any action on the part of the superintendent. The superintendent shall promulgate a legislative rule in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, which rule shall prescribe requirements necessary for the issuance and continuance of the authority herein granted.