Wyoming Governor Vetoes Concealed Carry Bill

A significant and heated debate currently in the United States is the right to own and carry a firearm. While some believe it is and should always be a Constitutional right, others argue that with increasing gun violence throughout the nation, its laws need to be re-evaluated.

Wyoming, which is a state known for being a pro-gun state, Governor Mark Gordon just vetoed an incredibly controversial concealed carry bill, and many of his constituents are not happy about it.

Wyoming’s Legislation On Concealed Carry

Wyoming, dubbed as the “Cowboy State,” prides itself on its rugged and independent spirit. While other states have changed their legislation and even their culture over the years, Wyoming has tried its best to remain wild and free, just as it was when it was founded.

For a lot of Wyoming residents, this means having the right to conceal carry, this even goes for some schools and government buildings. Therefore, a bill was proposed that would allow them to do exactly that. Only to have the governor veto it.

Governor Is Worried About Wyoming’s Future

Governor Gordon vetoed the bill, expressing concerns that it would have overstepped the appropriate bounds of legislative authority. Under the proposed bill, educational and state facilities would have to request permission to ban concealed concealed firearms from their buildings.

According to Gordon this would be unconstitutional.

Safeguarding The Rights Of Wyoming Residents

Governor Gordon contends that by denying the bill, he is ensuring more personal freedoms of Wyoming citizens and institutions.

Essentially he is arguing that the state shouldn’t be able to force institutions to allow concealed carry if they don’t feel comfortable with it, he believes doing so would allow the government too much power.

Difference Between Concealed Carry and Open Carry

This means that an individual in Wyoming can carry their firearm around openly almost anywhere, but they are not allowed to do so in schools or government buildings.

The difference between the two is fairly simple, open carry means your firearm is visible to others at all times, and conceal carry means it isn’t easily seen.

Open Carry Is Permissible Everywhere In Wyoming

It is important to mention that neither the bill or the governor’s veto prohibits the rights of its Wyoming citizens to openly carry their firearms anywhere in the state

Except for jails, hospitals, police stations, courtrooms, or on someone’s private property without the person of the owner.

Safety Of Wyoming Residents

By vetoing the bill, Governor Gordon rejected the immediate statewide authorization of concealed weapons on the University of Wyoming campus and all other public schools within the state.

He believes that this bill would have posed a threat to students and teachers that work within the schools. However, It is worth noting that the governor doesn’t believe that Wyoming schools should be gun-free, he just feels that people shouldn’t be allowed to conceal them.

Republicans Disappointed By The Veto

It should come as no surprise that Republicans in Wyoming are disappointed by the governor’s veto.

They are firm believers that it is their  Constitutional right to carry a weapon both concealed and not, this includes bringing their firearms into school as long as they have the proper permits. By vetoing the bill, the governor is single handedly restricting that right.

Governor Approval For Funding Firearm Costs In Schools

Even though Governor Gordon vetoes the concealed carry bill he isn’t considered to be an anti-gun governor. Actually, Gordon has passed multiple pieces of legislation extending gun rights throughout the state.

He has created a reimbursement program to fund firearm-related costs for school security. He also prohibited the tracking of firearm purchases and banned red flag gun laws throughout the entire state.

Democrats In The State Think Government Should Be More Involved in Protecting Its Schools

Conversely, the Democrats in the state believe the government should be more involved in protecting the schools and students that attend them.

They contend that if schools don’t make the choice to deny entrance of concealed carry, the children that attend them are at higher risk for gun violence and school shootings.

Wyoming Might Make Adjustments To The Bill

Rumors are floating around that there is a possibility that the Wyoming state government may make adjustments to the bill and refile it within a year’s time.

It is possible that the adjustments to the new bill will get rid of the immediate approval of concealed carry in educational institutions but keep it for state facilities like the Capitol building.

Only Two School Shooting In Wyoming History

What is most notable about Wyoming is that throughout their history they have only experienced two school shootings over the last 50 years. Despite 60.7% of the adult population owning firearms.

Many activists for gun rights make the argument that this data clearly indicates that increased gun ownership doesn’t have a direct correlation with higher numbers of gun violence or shootings. However others contend that this doesn’t mean that schools shouldn’t practice caution.