LARAMIE — Even if the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees won’t allow concealed handguns on campus, the Wyoming Legislature will probably override that decision.
That’s what board Chairman Kermit Brown told a crowd mostly opposed to concealed carry Thursday during a packed meeting of trustees.
It’s all but certain that another bill to eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones — which includes the UW campus — will come before the Legislature during the 2025 session, so it likely won’t matter what the UW trustees decide, Brown said.
A bill to eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones passed both chambers of the Legislature during the 2024 session, but was vetoed by Gov. Mark Gordon.
One of that bill’s primary sponsors, Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that he plans to introduce a similar bill when the Legislature convenes again.
‘Go To Cheyenne’
The trustees were scheduled to make a final decision regarding concealed carry at UW on Thursday.
But after the public comment period closed, Brown announced that the decision would be postponed until Friday morning. That gives trustees more time to consider proposal and any possible last-minute amendments.
After hearing another long session of public comments on the issue — most against allowing more guns on campus — Brown encouraged people to take their cases to lawmakers in the Wyoming Capitol.
“You have to go to Cheyenne when they have those hearings and those meetings,” he said. “You have to talk to your legislators. You know the old saying — the rule is that government is run by the people who show up. So, show up.”
Loosening Campus Gun Regulations
Current UW gun policy all but bans firearms on campus. Individual staff or students can apply with the UW Police Department for a special exemption to carry a concealed handgun.
The proposal would allow anyone over the age of 21, with a concealed carry permit and clearance from UW Police, to carry a concealed handgun.
Long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, and the open carry of handguns would still be banned at UW.
Similar Arguments
Firearms have been a hot topic on campus this week, including impassioned testimony during a town Hall meeting on campus Monday.
As was the case during the Trustees’ meeting Thursday, most who spoke during Monday’s town hall were against allowing concealed carry at UW.
But there were those who supported concealed carry at both meetings.
At the town hall, UW alumnus Sandy Rees said laws, and not “squishy feelings,” should determine whether people can carry firearms for self-defense.
Brandon Calloway, a Navy veteran and UW law student, made a similar point Thursday, telling trustees that allowing responsible people to carry concealed handguns would close a “critical security gap” on campus.
Those opposed argued that the risk of allowing firearms in more places on campus outweigh the benefits. They said it could lead to more suicides, accidental shootings, incidents of domestic violence in student housing and other tragedies.
Students don’t need the added stress of more firearms on campus, said Grace Shearrer, an assistant professor in the UW Human Nutrition and Food Program.
“Mental health is at an all-time low on campus,” she said.
UW undergraduate student Liz Pierson said that she and most of her peers favor UW gun policy staying as it is, and the proposed concealed carry rule would just be an attempt to solve “a problem that doesn’t exist.”
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
