You Can Own A Tank In Wyoming

When it comes to firepower in Wyoming, we are the most well-armed state. Approximately two-thirds of Wyoming adults live in households with firearms, placing it either at the very top or a close second behind Montana in national per capita ownership.

But you can't own EVERYTHING you want.

You can own a fully operational tank in Wyoming, except for the gun. That must be "demilitarized." Which is a huge disappointment.

Civilians can legally own a military tank in Wyoming, provided the main gun is permanently demilitarized (welded shut/decommissioned). If you want an active, firing cannon, the tank is classified as a "destructive device," requiring a heavily vetted federal tax stamp from the ATF. (USA TODAY).

There is one way around it. If you want a functional main gun, you must apply for a permit from the ATF, which involves background checks and a $200 tax stamp.

Tanks are typically not street-legal and must be transported on trailers.

They can be stored on private property, but you must adhere to local regulations and homeowners' association (HOA) rules. By the way, SCREW THE HOA. I'd like to see them try to enforce their "rules" if I have an operational tank.

One private collector in Wyoming has a HUGE assortment of military tanks. See the video below.

The National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, Wyoming, houses a collection of nearly 500 restored military vehicles, which includes tanks, trucks, and artillery pieces. As of 2026, the museum features over 350 vehicles on display within its 160,000-square-foot facility.

Due to their immense weight, you will need a sturdy, reinforced location for parking to avoid sinking.

This is not to say that you can't have every component ready to make the tank fully active at a moment's notice. But let's just say I did not mention this fact, and you did not see it.