A bill that would eliminate gun-free zones in places such as the Wyoming Capitol building, K-12 schools and on the University of Wyoming campus blasted through the House on third reading Thursday by a 50-10 vote.
On Thursday, an amendment was successfully added to House Bill 172, giving government authorities the power to pass rules blocking people from leaving their firearms unattended.
The amendment brought by bill sponsor Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, states that the bill doesn’t block a governmental entity from requiring an employee or student to store their firearms in a container when not carrying them, but also clarifies they cannot block storing said container in public campus housing or require that the firearm be stored unloaded or kept separate from ammunition.
Haroldson said the purpose of the amendment is to prevent unsafe storing of firearms and clarified that his bill is about concealed carrying rights and not a larger Second Amendment discussion.
“This is more prescriptive language, but at the same time giving our schools the opportunity, our higher education facilities the opportunity to make some standards,” he said.
The bill also exempts state agency-operated health and human service facilities licensed by the Department of Family Services and Health and Human Services facilities that are certified by the Behavioral Health Division of the Department of Health to provide residential services from the gun-free zone ban.
Failed Changes
An amendment Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, brought to prohibit people aged 18-21-years old from concealed carrying in their school or other public schools was rejected by the House on a 32-27 vote. The amendment was directed at high school seniors who turn 18 before they graduate school and did not cover community colleges or universities.
Harshman, a retired schoolteacher, mentioned how you must be 21 to drink alcohol and work certain occupations.
“I’ve worked most of my life around kids this age, raised my own four kids … when that school bell rings is that what we want?” he questioned. “I just think as a person that’s been around kids my whole life probably pause on this.”
This exception was actually included in Haroldson’s 2024 version of the bill, but he said he purposely left it out of this year’s bill in order to facilitate discussion on the matter. Although he didn’t take a stance on the amendment, Haroldson did vote against it.
“I think that’s a great thing to have a conversation about,” he said. “As we build these types of bills, these are the battles we fight.”
Rep. Art Washut, R-Casper, supported the said the wide range in maturity among 18-year olds should give people concern.
Rep. Jayme Lien, R-Casper, disagreed, saying it’s the people who break laws that people need to worry about. She mentioned a school shooting that occurred in Tennessee on Wednesday, where the suspect, a 17-year old boy, wasn’t supposed to have a firearm on them in the first place. The suspect, Solomon Henderson, killed a 16-year old girl in the incident.
Campbell unsuccessfully attempted an amendment that would have given any governmental entity the power to prohibit concealed carry of firearms at a meeting. She mentioned how public meetings can be quite contentious at times and said there were meetings she attended where she believes the public would’ve been at risk had concealed carry been allowed.
“Realistically, none of us are going to be sitting in that meeting, so I’d much prefer we’d give that to authority to those in the room so they can do what they have been charged with, and that is keeping our public safe,” she said.
Haroldson spoke against the amendment and said it would “undermine the integrity of the bill” in a “massive way.” He said the best protection in contentious public meetings is to have people carrying firearms in attendance.
No Exception For Day Cares
Sherwood tried bringing an amendment to the bill that would have allowed early childhood education centers with a prevention and protection plan to prohibit open or concealed carry of firearms within their facilities. These plans typically come with additional safety measures like metal detectors and security guards.
Sherwood said her amendment wasn’t meant to water down the bill but rather create a safe space for her constituents and their children.
“We want to make sure these facilities are safe, and that they’re protected, and they’re not a target, and the children attending them are safe,” Sherwood said. “If these centers decide that they don’t want people to open or concealed carry, there’s other methods in place to protect the children.”
The amendment was rejected by the House.
Nay Votes
Reps. Andrew Byron, R-Jackson, Elissa Campbell, R-Casper, Ken Chestek, D-Laramie, Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, Ivan Posey, D-Fort Washakie, Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie, Liz Storer, D-Jackson, Pam Thayer, R-Rawlins, Mike Yin, D-Jackson, voted against the bill.
HB 172 next moves to the Senate for consideration.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
