In a 6-5 split vote Friday, the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees rejected a proposal to allow people to carry concealed handguns into most campus facilities.
Trustees Brad Bonner, David Fall, Carol Linton, Macey Moore, Laura Schmid-Pizzato and Michelle Sullivan voted to reject the proposed change the UW’s firearms policy.
Board chairman Kermit Brown voted in favor of it, along with Trustees Brad LaCroix, Jim Mathis, John McKinley and Dave True.
The vote ended days of debate and impassioned public comment on the matter, which most speakers voicing their opposition to allowing concealed carry.
The measure would have allowed people older than 21, with concealed carry permits to carry concealed handguns into most of the buildings on campus.
Reflecting the sentiments expressed by many, Linton said she doesn’t think that allowing concealed carry would make campus any safer.
“I am a gun owner myself,” she said during discussion before the vote. “I’m not against concealed carry but I came to the realization that there’s really no safe place on our college campus, in our buildings where concealed carry is needed and I will oppose concealed carry on our campus.”
Next Stop, The Legislature
Some of the trustees who voted for the measure reiterated what Brown stated after a lengthy public comment period on Thursday. That being, no matter what the trustees decide, the Wyoming Legislature during its 2025 session will see another attempt to entirely eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free-zones, rendering current UW regulations moot.
McKinley and Brown said that trustees, as well as faculty and staff who oppose concealed carry at UW, must take their case directly to legislators.
“I’m going to gently encourage all the trustees to physically go to the Legislature, and you have to express your concerns and provide solutions, so our current regulation — as I heard it expressed is the preference — remains,” he said.
Just sending emails to legislators, instead of showing up in person, won’t work, Brown said.
“They’re experts on the delete key,” he said. “You can’t believe how fast they (legislators) can delete emails.”
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
