Why they voted this way
The lawmaker describes the Senate amendments as slight changes and explicitly encourages members to vote in favor of them.
Public statementFloor statement at 4:03:22 Watch the statement
Wyoming2008Enacted
HB0057
Emergency Powers and Firearm Rights
Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM
In one sentence
This law states that a state of emergency does not allow government officials to take away lawfully held firearms or add new rules about owning and using them.
What it does
- States that an emergency does not give government employees or agents the power to confiscate a firearm from a person who is lawfully carrying or possessing it.
- Prevents the government from adding new restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, carrying, storage, display, or use of firearms, ammunition, or their components during an emergency.
- Allows a peace officer to confiscate a firearm if they are acting in the lawful discharge of their duties and reasonably believe it is necessary to protect themselves, the person carrying the firearm, or a third party.
- Requires a peace officer to return the firearm to the person before releasing them, unless the person is arrested for criminal activity or the firearm is seized as evidence in a crime investigation.
- Defines 'ammunition' as a cartridge, shell, or other device containing explosive or incendiary material designed for use in a firearm.
- Defines 'firearm' as any weapon that will or is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.
Who it affects
- The Governor, the Director of Homeland Security, and executive heads of political subdivisions.
- Sheriffs, chiefs of police, and any employee or agent of the state or local government units.
- Peace officers acting in the lawful discharge of their duties.
- Persons who are lawfully carrying or in possession of firearms.
Limits and unknowns
- The law applies specifically to actions taken under the Wyoming Homeland Security Act (Title 19, Chapter 13).
- The law does not change existing laws in Title 6 of the Wyoming Statutes regarding unlawful possession or carrying of firearms.
- The law does not specify how long a firearm may be held as evidence if seized during a criminal investigation.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Confiscate
- To take away or seize property, such as a firearm, by authority.
- Peace officer
- A law enforcement officer authorized to enforce laws and maintain public order.
- Lawful discharge of duties
- Performing job responsibilities in a way that follows the law.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
2008 General Session Summary for HB0057 Bill No.: HB0057 Drafter: MDO LSO No.: 08LSO-0074 Effective Date: 7/1/2008 Enrolled Act No.: HEA0029 Chapter No.: Prime Sponsor: Representative Jaggi Catch Title: Emergency powers-right to bear arms. Subject: Powers explicitly denied to governmental agents during an emergency. Summary/Major Elements: Explicitly states that the existence of an emergency does not allow governmental employees or agents of the government to confiscate a firearm from a person who is lawfully carrying or lawfully in possession of a firearm. Provides that the existence of an emergency does not allow the government to impose additional restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, carrying, storage or display or use of firearms, ammunitions, or components of firearms or ammunitions. Provides an exemption for a peace officer who confiscates a firearm in the lawful discharge of his duties.
Public statements
Why lawmakers voted
Last checked Sep 12, 11:00 AM
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues the bill is necessary to protect citizens' rights and personal safety against potential federal overreach, citing examples of gun confiscation during emergencies in other states.
Public statementFloor statement at 33:23 Watch the statement
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it is necessary to protect citizens from those who are supposed to be protecting them.
Public statementFloor statement at 33:45 Watch the statement
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
Recorded votes
6 roll calls
H Did Concur 60-0-0-0-02008-03-03 · House60 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 60
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 60
Alan C JonesH25Allen M JaggiH18Amy L EdmondsH12Bernadine CraftH17Bill ThompsonH60Colin SimpsonH24Dan DockstaderR · S16David R EdwardsH06David R MillerH55Debbie HammonsH27Deborah AldenH03Del McOmieH54Dn.Doug SamuelsonH07Edward BuchananH04Elaine HarveyH26Erin E Mrs. MercerH53Esquibel, F.Frank PhilpH34George BagbyH15Jack D Landon Jr.H30Jane WarrenH13Jerry IekelH29Jim SlaterH46Kathleen DavisonH20Keith M GingeryH23Ken A EsquibelH41Kermit C BrownH14Kevin A WhiteH45Lisa A SheppersonH58Lori A MillinH08Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mark SemlekH01Marty A MartinH48, S12Mary A ThroneH11Mary GilmoreH59Mary W HalesH36Matt TeetersH05Michael K MaddenH40Monte OlsenH22Owen PetersenH19Pat ChildersH50Pete JorgensenH16Peter S IllowayH42Robert A BrechtelH38Rodney "Pete" AndersonH10Rosie M BergerH51Ross DiercksH02Roy CoheeH35Saundra MeyerH49, S15Stanley L BlakeH39Steve HarshmanR · H37Sue E WallisH52Thomas A LockhartH57Timothy M StubsonH56Timothy P HallinanH32Tom Lubnau IIH31William "Jeb" StewardH47W. Patrick P GogglesH33Zwonitzer
S Passed 3rd Reading 30-0-0-0-02008-03-03 · Senate30 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 30
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 30
Austin "Kit" JenningsS28Bill LandenR · S27Bill Mr. VaseyS11Bruce Burns Jr.S21Cale CaseR · S25Charles ScottR · S30Chuck TownsendS01Curtis MeierS03Drew A PerkinsS29E. Jayne MocklerS08Eli D BeboutS26Gerald E GeisS20Grant C LarsonS17Henry R CoeS18Jim AndersonS02John C SchifferS22John HastertS13John J HinesS23Kathryn L SessionsS07Kenneth J DecariaS15Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24Mike MassieS09Patricia L AullmanS16Phil A NicholasS10Rae L JobS12Ray R PetersonS19Robert D FechtS05Stan CooperS14Tony RossS04Wayne H JohnsonS06
S01 Recommended Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02008-02-27 · Senate5 yes 0 no
- Yes
- 5
- No
- 0
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
H Passed 3rd Reading 59-1-0-0-02008-02-20 · House59 yes 1 no
- Yes
- 59
- No
- 1
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 59
Alan C JonesH25Allen M JaggiH18Amy L EdmondsH12Bernadine CraftH17Bill ThompsonH60Colin SimpsonH24Dan DockstaderR · S16David R EdwardsH06David R MillerH55Debbie HammonsH27Deborah AldenH03Del McOmieH54Dn.Doug SamuelsonH07Edward BuchananH04Elaine HarveyH26Erin E Mrs. MercerH53Esquibel, F.Frank PhilpH34George BagbyH15Jack D Landon Jr.H30Jerry IekelH29Jim SlaterH46Kathleen DavisonH20Keith M GingeryH23Ken A EsquibelH41Kermit C BrownH14Kevin A WhiteH45Lisa A SheppersonH58Lori A MillinH08Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mark SemlekH01Marty A MartinH48, S12Mary A ThroneH11Mary GilmoreH59Mary W HalesH36Matt TeetersH05Michael K MaddenH40Monte OlsenH22Owen PetersenH19Pat ChildersH50Pete JorgensenH16Peter S IllowayH42Robert A BrechtelH38Rodney "Pete" AndersonH10Rosie M BergerH51Ross DiercksH02Roy CoheeH35Saundra MeyerH49, S15Stanley L BlakeH39Steve HarshmanR · H37Sue E WallisH52Thomas A LockhartH57Timothy M StubsonH56Timothy P HallinanH32Tom Lubnau IIH31William "Jeb" StewardH47W. Patrick P GogglesH33Zwonitzer
No 1
H01 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02008-02-14 · House9 yes 0 no
H Introduced and Referred to H01 57-3-0-0-02008-02-12 · House57 yes 3 no
- Yes
- 57
- No
- 3
- Absent
- 0
- Excused
- 0
- Conflict
- 0
Yes 57
Alan C JonesH25Allen M JaggiH18Amy L EdmondsH12Bernadine CraftH17Bill ThompsonH60Colin SimpsonH24Dan DockstaderR · S16David R EdwardsH06David R MillerH55Debbie HammonsH27Deborah AldenH03Del McOmieH54Dn.Doug SamuelsonH07Edward BuchananH04Elaine HarveyH26Erin E Mrs. MercerH53Esquibel, F.Frank PhilpH34George BagbyH15Jack D Landon Jr.H30Jerry IekelH29Jim SlaterH46Kathleen DavisonH20Keith M GingeryH23Ken A EsquibelH41Kermit C BrownH14Kevin A WhiteH45Lisa A SheppersonH58Lori A MillinH08Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mark SemlekH01Marty A MartinH48, S12Mary A ThroneH11Mary GilmoreH59Matt TeetersH05Michael K MaddenH40Monte OlsenH22Owen PetersenH19Pat ChildersH50Peter S IllowayH42Robert A BrechtelH38Rodney "Pete" AndersonH10Rosie M BergerH51Ross DiercksH02Roy CoheeH35Saundra MeyerH49, S15Stanley L BlakeH39Steve HarshmanR · H37Sue E WallisH52Thomas A LockhartH57Timothy M StubsonH56Timothy P HallinanH32Tom Lubnau IIH31William "Jeb" StewardH47W. Patrick P GogglesH33Zwonitzer
Official activity
Bill history
- Assigned Chapter Number - 61LSO
- Governor Signed HEA0029Governor
- S President Signed HEA No. 0029Senate
- H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0029House
- Assigned Number HEA0029LSO
- H Did ConcurHouse
- H Received for ConcurrenceHouse
- S Passed 3rd ReadingSenate
- S Passed 2nd ReadingSenate
- S Passed CoWSenate
- S Amendments AdoptedSenate
- Amendment AdoptedSenate
- S Placed on General FileSenate
- S01 Recommended Do PassSenate
- S Introduced and Referred to S01Senate
- S Received for IntroductionSenate
- H Passed 3rd ReadingHouse
- H Passed 2nd ReadingHouse
- H Passed CoWHouse
- Amendment AdoptedHouse
Changes
Amendments
2 stored
Adopted Standing Committee by H01
Adopted Committee of the Whole by ROSS