Posted on 02/17/2010 9:55:17 AM PST by neverdem
Wyo would become third state to allow concealed weapons without permits
CHEYENNE -- A House committee on Tuesday signed off on two proposals that would loosen Wyoming gun laws.
Under one bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee, a permit would no longer be required to carry a concealed weapon in Wyoming. A second bill, which committee members passed unanimously, asserts that firearms made, sold and kept in Wyoming are exempt from federal gun control regulations.
Under House Bill 113, anyone who meets the current requirements to obtain a concealed-weapons permit from the state would be allowed to carry concealed weapons -- except that proof of firearms training would no longer be required.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 6-2 to recommend approval of the bill after a testimony by spokesmen from pro-gun groups and other supporters. If the bill passes, Wyoming would become only the third state in the nation, after Vermont and Alaska, to allow conceal-carry without a permit.
Sponsor Rep. Elaine Quarberg, R-Thermopolis, says she believes the state and federal constitutions spell out that Wyoming residents have the right to carry concealed guns without needing government permission.
Rep. Joe Barbuto, D-Rock Springs, voted against the bill.
"I'm a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights," Barbuto said. "I don't think anybody around this table could accuse me of being a bleeding-heart liberal."
However, Barbuto said he's happy with the current permit system, which has law enforcement review permit applications.
"I don't think we need to take away that accountability," Barbuto said.
Rep. John Patton, R-Sheridan, cast the other vote against the bill. He said that despite being a gun owner himself, he didn't see how passing the bill would help with the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness in the state.
Anthony R. Bouchard, spokesman for the Wyoming Gun Owners Association, told the committee he wants to see the conceal-carry bill move forward.
Bouchard said his group sees no need to require training for Wyoming citizens who would carry concealed guns. A lot of people in the state are ranchers who grew up with guns and handle them daily, he said.
States that have gun control have "50,000 gang-bangers walking around carrying guns," Bouchard said.
The committee voted to specify that people who are mentally incompetent or who have been committed to mental institutions wouldn't be allowed to carry concealed guns.
The second bill, the Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act, is similar to legislation passed in Montana and Tennessee and introduced in 14 other states asserting that firearms that are made in the states and never leave the states are exempt from federal law. Gun advocates in Montana have filed suit against the federal government to test the law.
Under the legislation, any federal or state official who tries to enforce a federal gun law upon a Wyoming-made firearm could serve up to a year in prison and pay a $2,000 fine.
The bill specifies that Wyoming-made firearms can’t be bought or owned by convicted felons, people judged legally incompetent, or those who have been committed to mental institutions. The legislation also prevents people under 21 from buying Wyoming-made firearms.
If passed, the effect of the Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act would mostly be symbolic, as Wyoming's gun manufacturing industry is limited to a handful of small companies.
Gov. Dave Freudenthal told reporters on Tuesday that he is “not uncomfortable” with the proposed Firearms Freedom Act. However, he said he had “mixed” feelings about allowing conceal-carry without a permit.
“If it gets to me, I’ll sure take a look at it,” Freudenthal said of the conceal-carry bill.
Wyoming’s Concealed Carry Reform Passes the House! 2006
It's passed the WY House before.
Wyoming’s moving up on the “states to move to” list !
sensible legislation. if not for caring for my elderly parents, i would move there in a heartbeat!
This is a movement that needs to catch on. I love free people.
Please ~ping~ me to articles relating to the 10th Amendment/States Rights so I can engage the pinger.
I've stopped monitoring threads and unilaterally adding names to the ping list, so if you want on or off the list just say so.
Tenth Amendment Chronicles Thread
Tenth Amendment Center
The Right Side of Life/State Initiatives
Sovereign States
Firearms Freedom Act
| CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES |
ping
Well.. You are, dumbass. Only a liberal could read the words "laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding", then read "Right of the people to Keep and Bear Arms shall not be infringed", and then think they can pass whatever asinine guns laws they wanted. Only a liberal could vote against a law that helps restore our RKBA and then turn around and make an idiot comment like the one above.
I don't know why our state likes to elect Dem. governors...
Moving up the list of "move to" States? Especially if you are a firearms manufacturer tired of getting beat up by your States idiotic laws.
That’s the way it should be all across the land.
Let me say it again; There will be blood in the streets. People will settle all their disputes with a gun. It will be worse than the wild wild west and the OK corral. At least 13 chidren a day will be killed at the hand of a gun. Nobody will be safe.
You forgot your sarcasm tag.
I understand this is a step but considering what a felony is nowadays this part needs to be eradicated, in fact it never should have passed as law, what part of shal not be infinged is not clear?...and who decide what mentally incompetent is?
If you as me, that would mean all liberals, so what is the definition?
as = ask
AZ is trying the same thing it well be nice to see who wins this race.
I hope Gov. Dave does the right thing too; however, I am more worried about the senate.
A similar concealed carry bill died in the senate judiciary committee in 2006. The chairman is different, but he was on that committee in 06. The make up of the committee is basically the same: 3 pubs and 2 dems, and I am not sure how strong the repubs will fight for it. It only takes one to jump ship, and this bill dies again.
“At least 13 chidren a day will be killed at the hand of a gun.”
Guns have hands? I must need to upgrade.
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