Free Republic

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- The Wyoming Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee voted 4 to 1 in favor of a pro-hunting reform authored by Senator Ogden Driskill (R-1). Senate File 132 would repeal the state prohibition on hunting with sound suppressors (which are additionally regulated under federal law) while providing additional penalties for those who use them illegally. This bill is now eligible for a vote in the full Senate. A date for this Senate floor vote has not been scheduled at this time but please call and e-mail your state Senator urging him or her to vote in...

Several Wyoming lawmakers are proposing legislation designed to protect gun-owners from any potential federal firearm ban. The “Firearms Protection Act” bill, introduced this week, would make any federal law banning semi-automatic firearms or limiting the size of gun magazines unenforceable within the state’s boundaries. Anyone trying to enforce a federal gun ban could face felony charges under the proposal. It also includes a provision allowing the Wyoming Attorney General’s office to defend any state resident against any federal firearm ban.

CHEYENNE -- Proposals to loosen gun regulations are likely to emerge when the Legislature convenes in early January. The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is spurring national leaders to call for tighter federal gun-control laws. But several Wyoming legislators say they are planning to sponsor legislation that would do the opposite. Incoming Speaker of the House Tom Lubnau, R-Gillette, said he is drafting legislation that would end gun-free zones. He said he still is working on the details and the bill has not yet been filed. But he said it could include allowing teachers and other staff to have guns...

A gunman retreated from a Casper nail salon last week after realizing one of its customers was packing heat. Police say about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, a man walked into Modern Nails at 2645 E. Second St. and asked a female employee if she wanted to buy some diamonds. The man walked toward the front desk area and the woman replied that she had no money to buy diamonds. A witness said the man then reached into his coat pocket and began to take out a silver-colored pistol. At that moment, a woman who was getting her nails done...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers will decide in coming months whether to follow a growing national trend and allow the use of silencers on hunting guns.

Casper police say three are dead stemming from an attack at Casper College this morning. Casper Police Chief Chris Walsh said there were two dead at the school's Wold Physical Science Center and one dead at another location in Casper, although he wouldn't identify the dead or the other location. No suspects are at large and nobody else was injured, Walsh said. Asked about speculation that a bow and arrow were used in the attack, Walsh wouldn't identify what weapon or weapons were involved, although he said no firearms were used. Walsh said he'll hold another press briefing at the...

FAIRBANKS - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney maintained a strong lead with most of the results counted in the Alaska Republican presidential preference poll held today. With 4,225 votes, the former Massachusetts Governor took 32.6 percent of the statewide vote. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum took 29 percent, Texas congressman Ron Paul took about 24 percent and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich took 14 percent. At 10:30 p.m., 95 percent of the vote had been counted. Alaska was one of 10 states to participate in the Republican nomination process today and will divvy up 24 of its delegates according to...

Wyoming --(Ammoland.com)- Tell them to vote no on HB-70 Court Security – a bill disguised as a court security measure – when in fact it specifies a change to current law making “Any COUNTY BUILDING containing a district or circuit court” a gun free zone. Make no mistake this is an under the radar push to create additional gun control in Wyoming. Imagine walking in to the county center to pay for a vehicle license or a permit fee while forgetting to leave your firearm in the car, only to be reduced to “criminal status” with jail time and fines...

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming House of Representatives narrowly voted down legislation Wednesday that would have prevented local government officials in the state from passing any gun control laws, under penalty of heavy fines or even removal from office. House Bill 60, sponsored by state Rep. Kendell Kroeker, R-Evansville, got 38 votes, two short of the two-thirds majority needed for the legislation to be introduced. The bill would have added teeth to a Wyoming law already on the books that gives the state primacy over gun laws and prohibits cities, counties and other local bodies from passing their own laws regulating...

Moot, but noteworthy: Tuesday, Natrona County commissioners met in an unusual morning work session because Chairman Ed Opella and Rob Hendry wanted to hit the road to Cheyenne to meet with the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and legislators. Matt Keating had to leave early, so he missed the discussion about what commissioners wanted to convey to the WCCA. -------------------cut------------------------ In December, the Casper City Council passed a controversial ordinance that banned openly carried weapons at city government meetings. Hendry and Terry Wingerter said the city's controversy hasn't affected the county, yet. Wednesday, Matt called me so say he disagreed with...

Wyoming --(Ammoland.com)- As early as today HB-60 will be introduced in the house by Representative Kendell Kroeker (R-Casper) — It will require a 2/3rds vote to advance to committee. Please email your House Representative ASAP and ask them to support this legislation that will put a end to local governments placing restrictions on your right to carry. Wyoming has enjoyed a preemption since 1995, but unfortunately the “local” municipal politicians seem to believe that they hold more than the keys to the city. Simply put, many city politicians believe they are above the law and ignore the state the preemption....

Everyone will have to hang their guns at the door before entering the Casper City Council chambers under a new ordinance passed last week. In a five-to-four vote, the council approved a controversial measure that prohibits bringing a firearm or other deadly weapon into any public city government meeting. The law drew the ire of a number of gun rights and constitutional groups, and is expected to be challenged in the state legislature and also the courts. “We’ll bring a suit forth,” said Anthony Bouchard, executive director of Wyoming Gun Owners, following the meeting. “But we’re going to look at...

An armed officer dressed in a suit and tie stood behind Casper City Council on Tuesday as members patiently listened to seven arguments for or against banning openly carried weapons in city meetings. In the end, votes remained the same as those cast at the previous council meeting. Weapons are no longer allowed in city government meetings. “I expect this issue is not going to go away,” Mayor Paul Bertoglio said. He and council members Keith Goodenough, Bill Brauer and Maury Daubin opposed the ordinance that would restrict weapons in city government meetings. Council members Kate Sarosy, Paul Meyer, Kenyne...

Casper city council has recently released a statement suggesting they had no intentions of advancing gun free zones. But they have something they don't want you to know! During a council business meeting it was revealed that they were working with other police chiefs across Wyoming. They even stated on the record that the University of Wyoming Police Chief has commented that the Wyoming Association of Municipalities is working to advance gun free zones. What exactly other than pushing more bans does the University of Wyoming's Top-Cop have to do with Casper--and why did his name come up at a...

During the most recent legislative session, state Senator Kit Jennings (R-28) of Casper sponsored permitless carry legislation to expand the Right-to-Carry across Wyoming, only to see his hometown now fight to restrict it. Last week, the Casper City Council voted 5 to 4 in favor of an ordinance to ban the open carrying of firearms during city council meetings. While nothing has ever occurred to necessitate this proposed ordinance, the city council is one step away from making this ban a reality and will decide its fate on third and final reading at their next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December...

Proposed restrictions on the open carry of deadly weapons into city of Casper meetings passed on second reading by a 5 to 4 vote Tuesday evening. They were three boyscouts working toward a merit badge at the November 1st Casper City Council Meeting. The first reading of the Proposed restrictions on the open carry of deadly weapons into city meetings was on the agenda that night. Following that meeting, Casper City Councilman Paul Meyer, in explaining his reasons for supporting the changes on second reading Tuesday, said one of the boyscouts told him afterward he didn’t want to go any...

An ordinance banning people from openly carrying guns at Casper city meetings received initial approval Tuesday from the City Council. After more than two hours of debate, the council voted 6-3 in favor of the ordinance, which would make it illegal to bring a deadly weapon to any city meeting. Two more votes are required before the ordinance would become law. The council will discuss when to hold the next vote on Monday. Council members who supported the measure said they wanted people to attend city meetings without feeling threatened by others. “I don’t want to see intimidation in public...

The Casper City Council has pulled the trigger on a proposed ordinance prohibiting carrying firearms in local government meetings, setting up a showdown with gun rights advocates. “The proposal we have, is that weapons, open carry weapons, be banned from government meetings,” said Casper Police Chief Chris Walsh to the council at its work session last week, adding later, “This just mirrors what was already set in place in state statute for concealed weapons.” The issue arose after last year’s legislature removed the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, though still prohibiting concealed guns at governmental meetings...

Environmentalist arguments that wolves do not pose a potential threat to humans took another hit when bowhunter Rene Anderson took what she is convinced was a defensive action and fatally shot a wolf that had moved aggressively to within ten feet of her on a remote ridge near Headquarters, Idaho. Anderson, speaking to this column Friday morning, said the animal loped toward her while she was elk hunting back on Sept. 25. Her story is just now moving into high gear across the Internet, and she is being supported by friends and co-workers in Pierce, a community about 13 miles...

I want to thank the Casper Journal for publishing the article by Greg Fladager outlining the Casper City Council’s proposed ban of open carry in their public meetings. I have a few comments regarding the proposed ban. During the City Council’s working meeting Aug. 8, acting Casper Chief of Police Chris Walsh stated that there haven’t been any incidents caused by a citizen legally carrying a sidearm in any city meetings here, but that there might be someday. None of the city council members could remember a time that a concealed or open carry weapon created a problem. The discussion...