HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 63

(By Delegates Sheedy, Butler, Hanna, Hillenbrand, Street, DeVault, Heckert, Chiarelli, Longanacre, Willis, and Crouse)

March 1, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security then the Committee on Rules

Proclaiming and making the AR-15 the official rifle of the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The AR 15 is a military style rifle that began civil production in the 1950's. Contrary to a common misconception, "AR" refers to ArmaLite, the ArmaLite Company, that was founded in the 1950's, and the manufacturer of the AR-15. It is probably one of the most popular rifles in the United States and in West Virginia.  There are millions of this rifle owned by private gun owners for hunting, competition, home defense, or just target shooting and plinking. The AR-15 is made chambered in calibers ranging from .22 LR and 9mm to 5.56, .308, and more. Unlike the miliary version of the AR-15, the civilian version is a semi-auto only rifle; and

Whereas, It is said that more Americans have fired more rounds from more AR-15’s for personal defense, defensive firearm training, marksmanship competitions, individual practice, and hunting than from any other rifle, and

Whereas, The history of ownership and use of rifles in the United States derives from muskets, both military and civilian, to the military M16, and to the civilian AR-15, and West Virginians are proud and responsible owners of the AR-15; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature of West Virginia hereby proclaims and makes the AR-15 the official rifle of the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature of West Virginia recognizes the importance and significance of firearms such as the AR-15 in West Virginia’s history.