On Thursday, February 27, HB172 was passed into law, making it illegal to create gun-free zones in the state of Wyoming. The bill, which saw widespread support in both the Wyoming House and Senate, was able to become law after Governor Mark Gordon allowed his veto time to expire, although he notably did not provide a signature. This all comes after the University of Wyoming’s board of trustees voted last semester to keep the ban on firearms on campus, which will now be overturned handily with the passing of this new law.
Students at the University of Wyoming have tended to side against the bill and introduction of firearms on campus, with some opinion polling stating that only 40% of students supported the legislation. Some students saw fit to protest in the Wyoming State Capitol before the passing of the bill, although it had little effect on its eventual passing. When asked why they didn’t support the bill, one student stated, “I just feel like it creates an unsafe environment for students… I personally don’t think that these types of weapons should be allowed into places of learning.”
The opinion was far from monolithic, however, with most voters in Wyoming likely supporting the bill. On campus, various groups such as Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) and Turning Point USA have long advocated for allowing firearms to be carried on campus. One student, who chose to remain anonymous, stated “Yeah, I have a concealed carry permit, meaning I’ve . . . been certified by the state as being safe and able to carry a firearm. I don’t see why I shouldn’t be allowed to carry on campus, and I feel a lot safer now knowing that I’ll be able to in the future.”
The bill is already a compromise of the ideals of both sides, which has some praising it as effective bipartisan legislation. The bill only allows for unrestricted concealed carry with the issuance of a Wyoming Concealed Carry permit and does not allow for unrestricted concealed carry as many in the legislation would’ve liked to have. In addition to this, the bill outlines certain areas where firearms are not allowed, such as on private property if the owner chooses to prohibit carry.
Even with HB172 now law, the debate over firearms on campus is likely still far from over. While supporters view it as a necessary extension of their Second Amendment rights, opponents worry about the implications for student safety and the general feel on campus. The legislation represents a bit of a middle ground, limiting unrestricted carry while still overturning previous bans. How this new reality will shape campus life and public spaces across Wyoming remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, both sides are prepared to keep making their voices heard, and already have done so.
