CHEYENNE, Wyo. — House Bill 172, “Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments,” awaits a decision by Governor Mark Gordon this week after sailing through the House and Senate. On Monday, Feb. 24, Senate President Bo Biteman (R-Ranchester) and Speaker of the House Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) signed the bill, which is now on Governor Gordon’s desk.
HB0172 would allow teachers, volunteers and government officials to carry concealed weapons in any K-12 school, university, government building, health and human services facility or college sporting event that does not serve alcohol.
Office of Governor Gordon Communications Director Michael Pearlman told Buckrail that the governor has until midnight on Thursday, Feb. 27, to take action on HB0172.
On Feb. 24, a group University of Wyoming students staged a “die-in” protest urging Governor Gordon not to repeal Wyoming’s gun-free zones. The students hummed “Amazing Grace” while laying on the floor outside of the Governor’s Office, WyoFile reported.
During the State Legislature meeting on Feb. 18, TCSD Superintendent Gillian Chapman testified her opposition to the bill.
“The bill increases the risk of violence, negatively impacts mental health and impacts the ability to recruit and to retain staff,” Chapman told the State Legislature. “And it disregards local control in each community. Our staff, students and parents have shared their concerns about this bill with me, and their level of anxiety that it’s even being considered. Families have shared their serious concerns about sending their children to schools where concealed carry is permitted.”
Chapman emphasized to State Legislators that locally elected officials should determine what is best for their community.
HB0172 would establish a mandate requiring firearm training for those authorized to carry, including a minimum of 16 hours of live fire training and 12 hours of annual qualification with an approved instructor.
The Wyoming statute also states that “any person who knowingly prohibits entry to another person for lawfully carrying a concealed weapon into a place authorized” would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of not more than $2,000 or both.
Teton County School District (TCSD) Executive Director of Communications and District Services Charlotte Reynolds shared with Buckrail that if Governor Gordon signs the bill into law, the district “will find the best ways possible to ensure students and staff feel safe while at school and at school events and programs.”
According to TCSD, the administration is reviewing the final version of the bill and its amendment, including whether students 18 and older would be allowed to carry.
“We are taking the time necessary to fully understand the bill and ensure we adjust our existing policies or develop new policies to align with state law,” Reynolds said. “We also need to understand how this bill pertains to employees.”
Governor Gordon vetoed a similar bill to HB0172 in March 2024, emphasizing his support of firearms in Wyoming but citing Article 2 of the Wyoming Constitution in his opposition of the bill. Last year, he said that the bill exceeded the separation of powers in local and state government.
