WV HB4879

Mandates the Governor to organize and maintain a West Virginia State Guard by September 1, 2026, consisting of five regionally-organized regiments with battalions in each county, focused on crisis response, civil defense, and natural disaster response

Requires State Guard members to provide their own semi-automatic rifles (5.56 or .308 caliber), ammunition, and military equipment including uniforms, helmets, and load-bearing gear, with 12 hours of monthly training

Establishes recruitment incentives including state veterans' benefits after 2 years of service, educational benefits after 6 years, annual $2,000 state income tax deductions or $100 property tax reductions, free hunting/fishing licenses, and death/workers' compensation benefits

Grants activation authority to the Governor (up to one month), county commissions (up to two weeks), and county sheriffs (48 hours for emergencies), with county sheriffs having principal authority over activated units in their county

Declares that firearms owned by State Guard members, veterans, law enforcement, and firefighters are part of the "State Armory of West Virginia" and afforded legal protection by the state