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Wyoming2012Inactive

HB0097

Protection of Secured Firearms in Private Vehicles

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill would prohibit certain persons from enforcing rules that ban the storage of securely locked firearms in private vehicles on designated parking areas, with specific exemptions for schools, government entities, and religious organizations.

What it does

  • Creates a new chapter titled the 'Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Private Vehicles Act.'
  • Prohibits any person from establishing, maintaining, or enforcing a policy that prevents individuals from storing a firearm in a motor vehicle on property designated for parking.
  • Requires that the firearm be legally possessed, locked securely in the vehicle or a locked container attached to it, and not in plain view from the outside while the vehicle is unoccupied.
  • States that a person has no duty of care related to these actions and is not liable in criminal or civil actions for complying with this section.
  • Exempts school premises, government entities, and religious organizations from these provisions.
  • Specifies that the act does not affect restrictions on carrying concealed weapons or apply to properties where federal law prohibits firearm possession.
  • Sets an effective date of July 1, 2012.

Who it affects

  • Individuals who are legally permitted to possess firearms and park in designated areas.
  • Businesses, corporate entities, and other persons who own or manage property designated for motor vehicle parking.
  • Schools, government entities, and religious organizations, which are exempt from the bill's requirements.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill is marked as inactive, indicating it did not pass into law in the 2012 session.
  • The bill does not apply to properties where federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm.
  • The bill does not change existing laws regarding the carrying of concealed weapons.

Plain language

Terms to know

Motor vehicle parking
An area available for temporary or long-term parking or storage of motor vehicles that is available to employees, customers, and invitees.
Duty of care
A legal obligation to act with reasonable caution; the bill states that a person has no such duty related to the actions described in the law.
Liability
Legal responsibility for damages or injuries; the bill provides that a person is not liable in criminal or civil actions for complying with the section.

Official record

Sources

Source checked

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 5:16 PM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it protects Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens to have firearms in private vehicles, while maintaining a balance with private property rights by not requiring companies to provide storage areas.

Public statementFloor statement at 33:03 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker states they will have trouble supporting the bill due to concerns about the conflict between private property rights and personal property rights in this gray area.

Public statementFloor statement at 34:48 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

2 roll calls

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to HR 4-3(c)House
  2. H Introduced and Referred to H01; No Report Prior to CoW Cutoff; Intro VoteHouse
  3. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  4. Bill Number AssignedLSO