Wyo Lawmakers Rehash Guns In Schools & Capital

The discussion of gun-free zones in the Wyoming Capital continued after Governor Mark Gordon vetoed a bill that would have repealed "gun-free zones" this past spring.

The bill that was offered at the time would have made concealed weapons legal throughout the Capitol, universities, and public school campuses.

Proponents argue the good guy with a gun point of view. They say such places are safer when honest citizens have the means to protect themselves.

As for the schools, it's currently the local school boards that make such rules.

Gov. Gordon vetoed the bill, saying that the bill needed review and debate.

Some members of the legislative body think that, as far as the school issue is concerned, it should be left up to the local school districts.

We talk a lot about local control and we talk about how important that is, Senator Schuler said. And I don't think we've really brought our educational folks to the table throughout this whole process.

The University of Wyoming's Board of Trustees is discussing how to handle concealed carry on campus.

In a public notice on their website, UW says,

In accordance with a directive from Gov. Mark Gordon, the University of Wyoming is seeking input on possible changes to UW regulations that would allow the carrying of concealed weapons on campus.

UW’s current Regulation 6-4 prevents “dangerous weapons” from being carried in university facilities, with exemptions granted by the UW Police Department on a case-by-case basis if the requester has a legitimate security concern and firearms training. Changes are being considered in light of the governor’s directive to the university, community colleges and school districts to “take up these difficult conversations again and establish policies that allow for the safe carry of concealed weapons within their facilities.”