A bill under consideration in the West Virginia Senate would allow officers who enforce truck weight limits in the state to carry handguns.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to give special enforcement officers in the Division of Highways the authority to carry guns to ensure their safety.
Cam Lewis, head of the agency's enforcement division, said a weapon would give his officers peace of mind as they patrol at night and in secluded areas as they work to keep coal truck and other truck drivers in check.
The one opposing vote on the committee came from a senator who said an officer in her district has a reputation of abusing his power and she would not trust him with a weapon.