Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry concealed guns in public schools and government meetings. In his veto letter, Gordon expressed concerns about the bill exceeding the separation of powers provision in the state constitution. The bill would have required state facilities to seek legislative approval to restrict carrying firearms, eroding local control norms by giving sole authority to the Legislature. Under the bill, open carry of firearms would still have been prohibited in schools and government meetings, and K-12 students would not have been allowed to have guns at school. Guns would still have been banned in jails, courts, police stations, hospitals, and on private property.
Supporters of the bill argued that not allowing guns in schools and meetings infringes on their Second Amendment rights. Wyoming is among the gun-friendliest states, and the bill passed the state Senate 22-8 after supporters dismissed fears about allowing guns where they’re currently banned. Some Wyoming districts have allowed school officials to carry guns since 2017. Other states enabling concealed guns in schools include Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah. However, Democratic senators in Wyoming expressed concerns about the bill, with Chris Rothfuss of Laramie arguing against it and appealing to the principle of government closest to the people governing best. Gordon signed four other bills concerning gun rights, including prohibiting credit card processors from using firearm-related codes and preventing the enforcement of red flag gun laws in Wyoming.
Gordon’s veto of the bill highlights the ongoing debate over gun rights in the state. While some argue that allowing concealed guns in schools and meetings is a Second Amendment right, others express concerns about the erosion of local control and potential safety risks. The bill would have required legislative approval for restrictions on carrying firearms in state facilities, giving sole authority to the Legislature. Despite Wyoming’s reputation as a gun-friendly state, the veto reflects a nuanced approach to gun legislation, with Gordon also signing bills related to firearms rights, including the creation of an account to reimburse school districts for costs related to possession of firearms on school properties by employees.
The veto of the bill by Governor Mark Gordon underscores the complexity of gun legislation in Wyoming. While the state is known for its support of gun rights, concerns about the erosion of local control and potential safety risks have prompted the Governor to veto a bill allowing concealed carry in schools and government meetings. Supporters of the bill argue that it infringes on their Second Amendment rights, but opponents, including Democratic senators, express reservations about centralizing authority in the Legislature. Gordon’s decision to veto the bill comes amid a larger debate over gun rights in the state, with additional legislation signed to address various aspects of firearms regulation.
The veto of the bill by Governor Mark Gordon has sparked discussions about the balance between gun rights, local control, and safety measures in Wyoming. While the state is known for its support of the Second Amendment, the veto reflects concerns about the potential consequences of allowing concealed carry in sensitive environments like schools and government meetings. By requiring legislative approval for restrictions on carrying firearms in state facilities, the bill challenged established norms of local control. As the debate over gun legislation continues in Wyoming, Governor Gordon’s veto represents a nuanced approach to balancing individual rights with broader public safety concerns.
