[MLeake]

In post #1, the OP said no permit is required for open carry in WV. Not that i didn't believe him, but I cross-checked handgunlaw.us, and he is correct, with a caveat:

http://handgunlaw.us/states/westvirginia.pdf From the WV Attorney Generals “A Guide to Concealed Weapons Laws of West Virginia” (Page 4) http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/brochures/2009_gunbrochure.pdf
While West Virginia is an “Open Carry” state, only residents of West Virginia may do so

So it might have been reasonable for the deputy to ask to see some form of state issued ID. However, a permit was not required. A DL or other state ID should have been just fine.

The deputy was way out of line, and probably does not know his own state's laws on carry.