Gun Rights Bill Passes Wyoming Senate
BY Herschel Smith7 years, 8 months ago
A bill that would repeal gun-free zones at government meetings in Wyoming passed the state Senate by a 20-10 margin on third reading on Monday.
Senators did vote to amend House Bill 137, however, to specify that the bill would only apply to meetings held in places where firearms are not prohibited.
That amendment was approved to address concerns about legislative meetings that might be held on the campus of the University of Wyoming or any of the state’s seven community college campuses. A bill to allow concealed carry permit holders to carry guns onto college campuses was defeated in the Senate last week.
But on Monday, senators for the second time turned back an attempt to leave the decision about whether to allow guns at government meetings to local governing bodies. Monday’s debate on that amendment largely followed the same script as Friday’s discussion, with supporters of the amendment arguing for local control and saying the state should not dictate such decisions.
Sheridan Republican Senator Bruce Burns argued that if the right to carry firearms is really an unrestricted right, that would mean anyone could carry a gun anywhere, including into courtrooms, bars, and churches, which are all locations where firearms are prohibited under Wyoming law.
Laramie Democratic Senator Chris Rothfuss noted firearms have always been banned from certain venues throughout Wyoming’s entire history.
But Republican Senator Curt Meier of Lagrange said that even though most of the city councils in his district oppose allowing firearms at meetings “I took an oath to uphold the constitution.” He says the Wyoming Constitution clearly stands in favor of the right to bear arms.
Lander Republican Senator Cale Case echoed that argument, adding “these rights are protected even if there is a particular group, a particular place where a majority want to ban firearms.”
On February 28, 2017 at 2:42 pm, Col. Douglas Mortimer said:
I’ve lived in Wyoming for 3 years, and if this does pass, it will be a small baby step in the right direction, but far from repealing all GFZs. Mead is a RINO despite signing the permitless carry bill a few years ago.
Last week the Senate shot down the campus carry bill (again!) cuz feelings I guess…..
My big question for the NRA, as an NRA member myself, is how people like Senator Henry Coe from Cody garner an “A” rating, and yet for at least my 3 years here, have voted consistently against any pro-gun legislation.
I’ve emailed my regional NRA rep and depending on/if I get an answer that will dictate whether or not I renew my membership.
On February 28, 2017 at 4:08 pm, Phil Ossiferz Stone said:
I went fishing with Dad up in Montana last year, and when we drove through Helena we passed a couple carloads of the ugliest goddam trannies you ever saw in your life. Apparently even semi-rural deep red states now need to have a queer-dominated neighborhood and a couple of homeless encampments. And — as states like Nevada and Oregon and Colorado know to their horror and their sorrow — wherever you get critical masses of welfare bums and queers you get hysterical loonie-leftist politicking with no finish line and no reverse gear. Which would include gun control.
I call it the blue-state melanoma for a reason. Nowhere is immune.
On March 2, 2017 at 12:24 pm, Col. Douglas Mortimer said:
Here is the latest.
http://kgab.com/wyoming-gun-bill-headed-to-governor-meads-desk/