The Board of Trustees met on November 22 to discuss and vote on the proposed amendment to the rule regarding Storing and Carrying Dangerous Weapons in University Facilities. In a close 6-5 vote, the board decided against the proposal, effectively barring concealed carry on campus until further notice despite the governor’s directive.
What happens next for the University in this ongoing issue remains uncertain. Governor Mark Gordon has expressed strong support for concealed carry on campus, citing his belief that the government should not dictate where law-abiding citizens can carry firearms. His veto of a Wyoming congressional bill earlier this year, one that would have compelled the University to permit concealed carry, was framed as a defense of institutional autonomy and individual rights. In doing so, he directed the University to revisit the issue, likely with the expectation that it would reconsider allowing concealed carry in the future.
The board’s decision to vote down the measure appears to have been influenced by substantial opposition from students and faculty, many of whom voiced their concerns during public comment periods. Despite evidence presented during preliminary meetings suggesting that allowing concealed carry would have no measurable impact on campus safety, the concerns expressed by the campus community likely carried significant weight in the final vote.
Some are extremely concerned about the outcome of the vote, with one UWYO veteran who chose to remain anonymous stating, “I’ve been certified and trained to carry a firearm by the state of Wyoming and am a veteran with extensive firearm training. The fact that I’m not allowed to carry on campus while there’s no way to enforce this rule one way or the other is a huge issue for me. I don’t know who is and isn’t carrying illegally, I should be allowed to legally.” Others have expressed similar sentiments.
This highlights a growing divide between state leadership and institutional governance over matters of safety, individual rights, and community input. As the University navigates this complicated issue, it must weigh the directives from state officials against the values and concerns of its students, faculty, and staff. For now, concealed carry will remain prohibited on campus, but the conversation about it is likely far from over.
