Senate 246

WEST virginia legislature

2025 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 246

By Senator Stuart

[Introduced February 12, 2025; referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §61-7-18, relating to the creation of the Violent Crime Prevention Act; and requiring law enforcement to submit ballistics data to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network for alleged use of firearm in connection with charges for certain crimes.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 7. DANGEROUS WEAPONS.

§61-7-18. Violent Crime Prevention Act.

(a) West Virginia law-enforcement agencies shall submit required ballistics data to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) for any firearm that is alleged to have been used in connection with the following offenses:

(1) A felony crime of violence against the person, as defined in §61-11-26(p)(3);

(2) Domestic violence, as defined in §48-27-202; or

(3) The distribution of a controlled substance pursuant to §60A-4-401 et seq..  

(b) Data shall be submitted by a law enforcement agency within one month of a charge brought upon an individual in the above three categories.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to strengthen and enhance identification of perpetrators and linkages of committed crimes to provide greater safety within communities.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.