Repeal Gun Free Zones and Preemption Amendments
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Bill Summary - 25LSO-0414 Bill No.: HB0172 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0414 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0024 Chapter No.: 61 Prime Sponsor: Haroldson Catch Title: Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments. Has Report: No Subject: Gun free zones and concealed carry. Summary/Major Elements: This bill allows the concealed carry of a gun in any meeting of a governmental entity and the Legislature or at a legislative committee meeting, public school and university, certain areas of public airports and any public building if not otherwise prohibited by law. It clarifies that the Legislature preempts the regulation of firearms and amends the existing preemption to generally prohibit state agencies and other political subdivisions from regulating firearms. It provides exceptions for private property, public school events where alcohol is served, certain health and human services facilities, facilities where explosive or volatile materials are present, facilities where carrying a gun is otherwise prohibited by law, and for students of an elementary or secondary school. This bill creates a misdemeanor offense for any person who knowingly prohibits entry to a person lawfully carrying a concealed weapon into a place where concealed carry is authorized. The bill allows school districts to regulate concealed carry of employees and volunteers, including requiring training, and provides requirements for the allowance of concealed carry by employees and volunteers if the school district does not adopt related rules and regulations. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 5, 3:48 AM
R · S02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explains that while eliminating gun-free zones is the goal, they feel obligated to offer an option allowing local control because of a commitment made to school boards in their district.
R · S15
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because they believe compromising on Second Amendment rights is inappropriate.
R · S20
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment as an option for schools that have already stepped up to implement safety policies, noting that signs warning of armed staff are effective.
R · S29
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because allowing local decisions should not infringe upon individual rights.
R · S03
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues that since only a small number of districts have opted in, the legislation is still much needed for the majority.
R · S10
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges adoption of the amendment because their own district, located far from law enforcement help, utilized existing tools to ensure school safety and should be allowed to continue doing so.
D · S09
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker questions whether a specific definition of governmental entities provides clarity or if it is more vague than existing statutes.
R · H17
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports concurring with Senate amendments because he reviewed them with the bill's sponsor, who confirmed they do not significantly harm the bill and favors a positive vote.
R · H34
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports concurring with Senate amendments because they have reviewed them with the bill's sponsor, who is comfortable that the changes do not significantly adversely affect the bill.
R · H04
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports concurring with the amendments because they provide necessary clarifications and address specific concerns regarding student safety without weakening the bill.
D · H14
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explains that after hearing from constituents, they realized early childhood education centers were inadvertently excluded and are proposing an amendment to ensure these facilities receive equal consideration regarding concealed carry prohibitions.
R · H37
Why they voted this way
Drawing on personal experience working with children, the lawmaker expresses a preference for prohibiting concealed carry in schools despite other adult rights granted to 18-year-olds.
R · H62
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to allow governmental entities to assess risks during contentious meetings, citing personal experience with public safety concerns at such gatherings.
R · H04
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment based on research showing no issues with concealed carry in meetings and believes law-abiding citizens exercising their rights provide better protection than metal detectors.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
8 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
16 stored
The amendment adds a new section to the bill that designates early childhood education centers on college campuses as 'gun-free zones', meaning these areas would prohibit concealed weapons.
The amendment would allow early childhood education centers that have a prevention and protection plan to permit the carrying of both open and concealed weapons inside their premises.
The amendment allows individuals between 18 and 21 years old to carry concealed weapons on public school grounds with a specific permit.
The amendment removes certain restrictions on how employees and students can store firearms at their workplace or school, allowing them to keep firearms without needing to use specific types of containers.
The amendment adds an exception that allows a governmental entity to prohibit concealed weapons at meetings if it determines such carrying places the public at risk.
The amendment adds a requirement for people who want to carry concealed weapons into school facilities to register at the front office and notify school district personnel about their presence and the type of weapon they have.
The amendment allows the University of Wyoming's board of trustees to designate the Early Childhood Education Center as a gun-free zone, exempting it from certain parts of the bill.
The amendment changes references to 'governmental' in the bill to 'state', modifies conditions for carrying concealed weapons on state-owned property, removes certain sections of the original bill related to public places, and deletes specific pages from the bill.
The amendment adds new rules that prevent governmental entities from making certain firearm regulations while allowing them to create rules for safe storage and handling of firearms.
The amendment adds new rules about firearm storage and handling by governmental entities and makes changes to the language regarding carrying concealed weapons.
The amendment adds a new clause to the bill that prevents governmental entities from making rules that stop people from bringing firearms to certain meetings like disciplinary proceedings and expulsion hearings.
The amendment adds a requirement that schools must approve, through their board of trustees, any exceptions to allowing concealed weapons on school property.
The amendment adds an exemption for school districts that have existing rules about weapons before a certain date from having to follow new weapon carrying requirements.
The amendment adds a new definition for 'governmental entity' in the bill, which includes the state of Wyoming, the University of Wyoming, and local governments as defined by a specific law.
The amendment adds a new clause to allow concealed weapon carriers in certain areas of public airports where federal laws do not prohibit it.
The amendment adds restrictions on carrying concealed weapons into elementary and secondary school facilities, except for enrolled students as allowed by another law.