JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson residents shared concealed carry safety concerns and proposed contesting the passing of House Bill 172 – Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments, during the Teton County School District #1 (TCSD) Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, May 21.
The new statute, which passed on Feb. 27, states that “persons lawfully carrying concealed weapons in Wyoming” can concealed carry in any school or university building.
TCSD Superintendent Gillian Chapman read a first reading of draft safety protocols that the schools could enact in response to the concealed carry statute. Chapman said that TCSD policy, “Staff Authorized to Conceal Carry a Firearm,” highlights that the passed gun legislation erodes local control. In the draft policy, citizens are urged to “refrain from concealed carry on school property while recognizing that the legislature has allowed it,” to help ensure student safety. The policy also states that no open carry of firearms will be permitted on School District property.
The draft policy recommends signs being placed on the outside of school building doors that could read, “Welcome to our schools. We respect your constitutional rights. Please help us maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. We encourage firearms to be stored before entering school grounds.”
During public comment, Laura Soltau, who has children attending Munger Mountain Elementary School, thanked the district for adding language stating that it doesn’t support concealed carry in TCSD schools. She added that parents are currently fundraising in an effort to litigate against the gun mandate.
Resident Heather Smith also expressed her gratitude to the Board of Trustees for the work they are doing, but stressed that “this moment requires bold action.”
“Every time there is another school shooting, my natural instinct is to keep my daughter at home,” Smith said. “Should the Board choose to adopt its policies related to firearms, I ask you to consider a few specific measures.”
Smith asked the Board to implement rigorous and maximum firearm training requirements, to identify those who are carrying a firearm, to construct bullet-proof glass windows and to incorporate new measures during student intruder trainings since an armed person could now be located inside the school.
“This moment deserves pause,” Smith said. “At some point, we have to ask ourselves how much are we willing to tolerate in our schools.”
Jackson resident Phil Schoner asked the Board of Trustees to enforce a measure requiring teachers and staff to identity themselves with an armband, if choosing to concealed carry.
Trustee Jerry Bosch said baseline statutory requirements would need to be met before anyone could be allowed to carry a gun on school property.
“You don’t get to come onto facility with a gun unless you follow the requirements,” Bosch said.
The statutory requirements state that all employees and volunteers who elect to concealed carry must possess and maintain a valid concealed carry permit issued by the State of Wyoming, and must complete not less than 16 hours of live fire handgun training, including 8 hours of scenario-based training using nonlethal training, firearms and ammunition. Trustee Stephen Abrams instructed TCSD to draft a clear definition of what models of firearms would be allowed with a permit.
Chapman read draft policy, “Weapons in School,” saying that “students enrolled in elementary or secondary schools, including students enrolled in home-school, programs, virtual school, independent, private or charter schools or expelled students may not possess deadly weapons or objects used as weapons.” Chapman said that this statute would also prohibit students visiting from another school district to concealed carry on TCSD school property.
The “Community Use of School Facilities” draft policy states that groups or persons using school facilities, including the Central Wyoming College Native American celebration at the Munger School, sporting events and the Grand Butterfly Gathering at Jackson Elementary School, must comply with all of TCSD’s policies. Chapman said that the Board of Trustees reserves the right “to refuse approval or to cancel any and all permits issued for the use of school buildings or its facilities when it is deemed that such action is necessary for the best interests of the school district.”
Trustee Bill Scarlett asked how the district would enforce unlawful concealed carry.
“We don’t have anyone showing up to supervise or enforce policies,” Chapman responded.
Resident Jo Newman, whose daughter is a TCSD student, voiced concerns about taking her daughter to gymnastics competitions across the state.
“It is easy to get a gun without a background check,” Newman said. “A lot of people are walking around without a permit for their gun.”
Referencing state-wide surveys, Newman said that the majority of people in the state do not approve of the passed legislation. According to a University of Wyoming Survey, 64% of responses opposed concealed carry on campus. Newman said that State Building Commission provided two public comment periods that showed 87% and 64% opposition to concealed carry at the Capitol. Additionally, Newman said that the KGAB Radio Station in Cheyenne conducted a poll in March 2024, revealing that 63.3% of people who took the poll supported Governor Gordon’s veto of a similar concealed carry bill — HB0125.
Newman said that a coalition of Jackson parents, which recently met with a Wyoming civil rights law firm, is fighting against the concealed carry statute. She argues that a provision in HB0172 states that local control cannot be eroded. Board of Trustees Chair Betsy Carlin asked Newman to email her plan to the district for their consideration.
Resident Stina Brock said that many parents are considering moving their children to private schools due to the new legislation.
“I think it’s an enrollment concern in our district,” Brock said. “I want to make sure that’s on your radar. It’s a concern for all us when people leave the public school system.”
Bosch said that his number one priority is to keep the schools safe and urged parents to keep their children enrolled in TCSD.
“Please don’t leave,” Bosch said.
The concealed carry statute takes effect on July 1. TCSD is now accepting public comment until the second and final reading of the concealed carry draft policies during the next Board of Trustees meeting, currently scheduled for Thursday, June 12.
