Sen. John McCain, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, made a brief stop at a St. Albans sporting goods store Friday, shaking hands with a few hearty souls who braved cool temperatures and misting rain.

It was McCain's first stop in the Mountain State this year. The Arizona senator did not attend the state party's convention in February.

Accompanied by state GOP leaders, McCain got off his bus, greeted a few supporters outside the St. Albans Gun & Archery shop and then went inside for about 10 minutes. He and his wife, Cindy, then walked less than a block to a fitness center, where they met with members of the state Republican Executive Committee and GOP lawmakers in a private session.

Along the way, he shook hands with a few of the about 75 people standing along the street, which appeared to be split between supporters and those opposed to his candidacy.

"I live just down the street and thought I'd come out and bring my mother to see the man," said Bill Frymier.

Standing nearby, his mother, Edna, was anxious to meet the candidate, but wasn't able to get near him.

Many in the crowd that was kept well away from McCain held signs with such slogans as, "I sold my guns for gas" and "Bring our troops home."

"He can go look at gas pumps," said Nick Casey, state Democratic Party chairman. "Yet, he waits to come here and talk about guns.

"We're talking about health care and gas, and they're talking about guns."

"I've got plenty of guns," said Teddy Hapney, a United Mine Workers union member. "I'm trying to get to and from work."

Coal miner Kris Mallory said he spends more than $200 a week for gasoline in order to get to work and back each week.

"The issues are not gun rights right now," he said. "The issues are health care and job security."

McCain supporter Chris Bartlett of St. Albans said he believes the Republican will be better at fixing the national economy than others, but said issues surrounding the Second Amendment also should be on the front burner.

"I don't necessarily see it as a key issue," he said, "but it needs to remain an issue."

McCain was headed for Louisville, Ky., to speak to the National Rifle Association. He has had some problems gaining the support of the organization, which is considered politically powerful with conservative voters.

Republican luminaries Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, Secretary of State Betty Ireland and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones accompanied the senator from Yeager Airport to St. Albans.

Capito is considered to be in for a tight race this year with Democrat Anne Barth. Her appearance caused the McCain protesters to shout "Barth, Barth" at the congresswoman.

"He outlined a vision that I think the people of West Virginia will like," said Delegate Patrick Lane, R-Kanawha, after meeting with the senator at the nearby fitness center.

Others who accompanied McCain inside the sporting goods shop said he met the owners' family, bought fishing equipment and stayed away from the guns.

McCain has no other West Virginia campaign trips scheduled at this time

To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5198.