SF0137 • 2021

Firearms preemption-amendments and applicability.

AN ACT relating to weapons; precluding the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges from regulating firearms as specified; defining terms; clarifying the applicability of the preemption of firearms regulation by the state as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Education Firearms

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Senator Kinskey
Last action: 2021-03-22
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2021

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide a detailed summary of the bill's provisions, so some details from the candidate explanation were removed or narrowed based on available information.

Firearms Preemption and Amendments

This act stops universities and community colleges in Wyoming from making their own rules about firearms and clarifies that only the state can regulate guns, weapons, and ammunition.

What This Bill Does

Prevents the University of Wyoming and all Wyoming community colleges from creating rules about firearms.
Defines 'institution of higher education' to include these universities and colleges.
Clarifies that any local laws or regulations by cities, towns, counties, or other groups that try to control firearms are not allowed if they conflict with state law.

Who It Names or Affects

The University of Wyoming and all community colleges in Wyoming
People who make, sell, buy, own, or use firearms in Wyoming

Terms To Know

preemption: When a higher level of government (like the state) stops a lower level of government (like cities or counties) from making rules on a certain topic.
institution of higher education: Refers to universities and community colleges in this case.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass, so it does not have any legal effect.
It only affects rules made by the University of Wyoming and Wyoming's community colleges, not other schools or private institutions.

Bill History

2021-03-22 Senate
S COW:S Did not consider for COW
2021-03-12 Senate
S Placed on General File
2021-03-12 Senate
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0
2021-03-02 Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary
2021-03-01 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2021-03-01 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

21LSO-0485
2021
STATE OF WYOMING
21LSO-0485
Numbered
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0137

Firearms preemption-amendments and applicability.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Kinskey and Biteman and Representative(s) Jennings

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to weapons; precluding the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges from regulating firearms as specified; defining terms; clarifying the applicability of the preemption of firearms regulation by the state as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 6
‑
8
‑
401(c) and 6
‑
8
‑
403(a)(vii) are amended to read:

6
‑
8
‑
401.

Firearm, weapon and ammunition regulation and prohibition by state.

(c)

The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the state. Except as authorized by W.S. 15
‑
1
‑
103(a)(xviii) and 21
‑
3
‑
132, no city, town, county,
institution of higher education,
political subdivision or any other entity shall authorize, regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use, carrying or possession of firearms, weapons, accessories, components or ammunition except as specifically provided by this chapter. This section shall not affect zoning or other ordinances which encompass firearms businesses along with other businesses. Zoning and other ordinances which are designed for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer or manufacture of firearms or ammunition as a method of regulating firearms or ammunition are in conflict with this
section and are prohibited.
As used in this subsection, "institution of higher education" means the University of Wyoming and any community college in Wyoming.

6
‑
8
‑
403.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this act:

(vii)

"This act" means W.S.
6
‑
8
‑
401
6
‑
8
‑
402
through 6
‑
8
‑
406;

Section 2
.

This act is effective
immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

1
SF0137