Firearms rights-restoration amendments.

Plain English Breakdown

The summary does not address all potential scenarios regarding restoration of firearm rights, leaving some uncertainty about specific cases where laws in the original jurisdiction are unclear or silent on restoring firearm rights.

Firearms Rights Restoration for Out-of-State Convictions

This law clarifies that people convicted of felonies outside Wyoming can have their firearm rights restored based on laws from where they were convicted, but not other rights like voting or holding office unless explicitly allowed by the original jurisdiction's laws.

What This Bill Does

• Clarifies that a person's right to possess firearms in Wyoming is subject to restoration under the laws of the state where the conviction occurred.
• Specifies that if an out-of-state conviction allows firearm possession, it does not automatically restore other rights such as being able to vote or hold public office unless explicitly allowed by the original jurisdiction's laws.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who have been convicted of felonies outside Wyoming and want their firearm rights restored in Wyoming.

Terms To Know

Felony

A serious crime that can result in a prison sentence of more than one year or death.

Restoration of Rights

The process by which certain rights, such as the right to vote or possess firearms, are returned after being lost due to a felony conviction.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if there is no clear law in the original jurisdiction about restoring firearm rights.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 26LSO-0242

Bill No.:

HB0039

Effective:

Immediately

LSO No.:

26LSO-0242

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0038

Chapter No.:

95

Prime Sponsor:

Washut

Catch Title:

Firearms rights-restoration amendments.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Amending requirements for the restoration of firearm rights for felons.

Summary/Major Elements:

Current law provides requirements for the restoration of rights, including firearm rights, for persons who have been convicted of felony offenses, including felony offenses committed outside the state of Wyoming.

This act clarifies the effect of an out-of-state restoration of rights for purposes of firearm rights in Wyoming to specify that a person's right to possess firearms is subject to restoration under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered.

A person convicted of a felony outside of Wyoming whose rights to use and possess firearms are restored pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered does not restore rights to be an elector or juror or to hold any office, unless the laws of that jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered restore those rights.

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.

Current Bill Text

26LSO-0242

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0039

ENROLLED ACT NO. 38,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; clarifying the effect of an out-of-state restoration of rights for purposes of rights in Wyoming; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 6
‑
8
‑
102(a) and (c) and 6
‑
10
‑
106(a)(iii), (iv) and by creating a new paragraph (v) are amended to read:

6
‑
8
‑
102.

Use or possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felony and misdemeanor offenses; penalties; exception.

(a)

Any person who has previously pleaded guilty to or been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a violent felony, and has not been pardoned or has not had the person's rights restored pursuant to W.S. 7
‑
13
‑
105(a) or (f)
or the laws of the jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered
and who uses or knowingly possesses any firearm is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both.

(c)

Any person who has previously pleaded guilty to or been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a felony that is not a violent felony and has not been pardoned or has not had the person's rights restored pursuant to W.S. 7
‑
13
‑
105(a) or (f)
or the laws of the jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered
and who uses or knowingly possesses any firearm is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both.

6
‑
10
‑
106.

Rights lost by conviction of felony; restoration.

(a)

A person convicted of a felony is incompetent to be an elector or juror or to hold any office of honor, trust or profit within this state or to use or knowingly possess any firearm, unless:

(iii)

His rights are restored pursuant to W.S. 7
‑
13
‑
105(a) or (f);
or

(iv)

His rights as an elector are restored pursuant to W.S. 7
‑
13
‑
105(b) and (c), in which case the person shall remain incompetent to be a juror or to hold any office of honor, trust or profit within this state
;
.

or

(v)

His rights to use and possess firearms are restored pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered. This paragraph shall not be construed to restore rights to be an elector or juror or to hold any office of honor, trust or profit, unless the laws of the jurisdiction in which the conviction was entered restore these rights.

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)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1