Wyoming governor vetoes bill to allow concealed carry in public schools and meetings
CHEYENNE, Wyo.– Wyoming’s Republican Governor Mark Gordon has vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons in public schools and government meetings.
In his veto letter Friday night, Gordon said he was concerned the bill would overstep the separation of powers in the state Constitution, as any policy, further regulation or clarification of the law could only be implemented by the Legislature.
Every state institution, including the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming State Hospital and the Wyoming Boys’ School, would have to seek legislative approval to restrict the carrying of firearms.
The bill “erodes historic local control norms by giving the Legislature exclusive authority to micro-manage a constitutionally protected right,” Gordon wrote. ”
Under the bill, the open carrying of firearms would still be prohibited in schools and government meetings, and primary and secondary school students would not be allowed to have weapons at school. Guns would still be banned in prisons, courts, police stations and hospitals, and on private property if the owner had so desired.
Concealed firearms would be allowed with a permit in public schools and at the University of Wyoming and at community colleges in areas where alcohol is not served. They would also have been admitted to meetings, including those of the legislature, without a permit.
Advocates said continuing to ban guns at schools and gatherings violates their Second Amendment rights.
A handful of districts in Wyoming have allowed school officials to carry guns in schools since the state began allowing them in 2017. Other states that allow permit holders to conceal weapons in schools include Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Wyoming is one of the most gun-friendly states, and the bill passed the Senate on a 22-8 vote after supporters dismissed fears that guns would be allowed in places where they are currently banned.
One of the two Wyoming Senate Democrats, Chris Rothfuss of Laramie, had opposed the bill, saying he had not heard from teachers or students on the issue. He appealed to the Republican principle that the government closest to the people governs best. The chamber’s other Democrat, Mike Gierau of Jackson, also voted against the bill after initially voting for it.
Gordon signed four other bills on gun rights. One prohibits credit card processors from using firearms or firearm-related merchant category codes and prohibits the government or private entities from maintaining a registry of firearms through the use of a firearms code.
The other bills prohibit the enforcement or implementation of red flag gun laws in Wyoming, amend regulations to make those who have firearm rights restored eligible for a concealed carry permit, and create an account to reimburse school districts for costs related with possession of firearms on school property by school personnel.
Gordon also ordered state officials to consider allowing concealed carry in the Capitol and other state buildings.