Application of Metheney

BROTHERTON, Justice:

This case involves four separate appeals brought by individual citizens seeking to obtain a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to W.Va.Code § 61-7-4 (1989). The applicants contend that they meet the requirements promulgated in W.Va.Code § 61-7-4 to obtain a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon. In each case, a hearing was held by the respective circuit court judge, at which time the applicant expressed his desire for the license and explained why a concealed weapon was necessary. 1 Although it appeared from their applications that each applicant had…