Free Republic

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A law that allows Wyomingites to carry concealed weapons without permits goes into effect today. The new law, strongly supported by gun rights advocates, received the overwhelming endorsement of the Legislature last winter. Wyoming joins Alaska, Arizona and Vermont in allowing citizens to carry concealed handguns without undergoing background checks or firearms training. During the second of two seminars on the new law sponsored by the Cheyenne Police Department on Wednesday, the instructor, officer Jay Remers, told the group that it still is beneficial to get a concealed-weapons permit. The firearms training is valuable for gun owners...

Wyoming will soon become the fourth state in the nation to allow residents to carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. A law effective Friday, July 1, will authorize permitted Wyoming residents 21 years of age or older to carry a firearm without obtaining a permit or taking a handgun safety course. This “constitutional carry” bill was one of the most controversial ideas the Wyoming State Legislature discussed during its session earlier this year. Gov. Matt Mead signed the bill in March, deeming it “appropriate” for Wyoming, after many Senate floor debates regarding state gun control and the...

RIVERTON — Charges were filed Thursday in the St. Patrick’s Day shooting that took place in downtown Riverton — not against the shooter, but against the man who was shot in the groin. Zechariah Apodaca, 22, of Riverton was charged with domestic battery, property destruction and simple assault. The shooter was identified only as a 41-year-old man from Lander. Authorities refused to release his identity because he’s been named a victim in the case against Apodaca. In a media conference Wednesday afternoon at Riverton City Hall, Fremont County Attorney Brian Varn said the older man acted in self defense as...

Are you frustrated at the loss of freedom and responsibility in America, while the growth of government and taxes continues unabated? Do you want to live in strong communities where your rights are respected, and people exercise responsibility for themselves and in their dealings with each other? If you answered "yes" to those questions, then the Free State Project has a solution for you. What the Free State Project is... The Free State Project is an effort to recruit 20,000 liberty-loving people to move to New Hampshire. We are looking for neighborly, productive, tolerant folks from all walks of life,...

Wyoming became the fourth state to affirm the right of its citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a special government-issued license when the state's House of Representatives Wyoming approved a "Constitutional Carry" bill in a 48-8 vote several weeks ago, and Gov. Matt Mead signed it into law on March 3. Wyoming joins Alaska, Arizona, and Vermont as states that have adopted Constitutional Carry. It goes into effect on July 1. Similar proposals are being pondered in Colorado and Montana. In Colorado, House Bill 1205 would make it legal for people to carry a gun without a permit. The...

CHEYENNE — Wyoming has become the fourth state to allow citizens to carry concealed guns without a permit.

The Jennings-Jaggi Constitutional Carry Bill passed the House on Final reading this morning, 49-9! Give yourself a pat on the back. Without your dedication - and committed action - this freedom-expanding bill would not have passed. Your letters, post cards, e-mails, and phone calls were what made the difference. Gun owners in Wyoming - and across the country - owe thanks to the courageous efforts of Representative Alan Jaggi (R - Lyman) and Senator Kit Jennings (R - Casper), the sponsors of the Constitutional Carry Bill. As well as the hard work of issue champions like Representative Lorraine Quarberg (R...

We aren’t done, but I’ve got some good news for you. The first phase of passing the Jaggi-Jennings Constitutional Carry through the Wyoming State House was accomplished this afternoon. House members agreed to move this common-sense legislation forward by a vote of 48 to 8. Even though we’re definitely not done yet, and I know that I don’t have to tell you that anything can happen in politics, this is still great news. Because of your emails and phone calls, these House members have moved our bill past its first reading with an overwhelming majority. Our next steps are the...

Another Senate bill coming up for a hearing in the House this week would allow Wyoming citizens to carry concealed handguns without a permit. Buchanan said he expects the bill will pass, but said he expects a spirited debate. A similar handgun bill passed the House in the last legislative session but failed in the Senate.

House committee OKs concealed-weapons bill The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee discussion of Senate File 47, Concealed weapons, is about 52 minutes. The quality of the recording is not great, but voices are clear. By Bill McCarthy, Cowboy State Free Press CHEYENNE – A committee voted 8-1 today to send legislation allowing law-abiding Wyoming citizens to carry concealed firearms to the House floor. “This bill is about a law abiding citizen’s right to carry open or concealed in the state of Wyoming,” said Rep. Lorraine Quarberg, a bill sponsor. “It is very difficult to restore a right...

CHEYENNE -- Hospital officials locally and statewide are encouraging legislators to clarify the concealed weapons law as it relates to hospitals. The current law limits where you can carry a concealed weapon, but does not specifically address hospitals or healthcare buildings. Discussion around the clarification began after Senate File 47 was introduced into the Legislature. That bill would allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill's introduction and debate create a prime opportunity to address the issue and add needed detail to the law, according to one Cheyenne Regional Medical Center official. "We are not taking...

Wyoming --(Ammoland.com)- Our next step toward Constitutional Carry in Wyoming is scheduled to take place next week, but don’t be fooled, the fight starts today. Yesterday the Jaggi-Jennings Constitutional Carry bill was assigned its committee and scheduled for next Wednesday (2/9). That means that right now is the time to let the committee members know that you support passing the Jaggi-Jennings Constitutional Carry bill out of committee without any amendments. You can rest assured that I will be providing you with ways to be involved and the latest news on this bill as it happens, but right now I need...

While not opposed to the idea of private citizens packing concealed firearms, some local law enforcement brass said they hope new legislation won't make it easier for the wrong people to tuck weapons away. "One point that we can't lose sight of in the debate (over concealed weapons) is the weight of responsibility attached to a person if they choose to carry that weapon," said Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers. * Senate File 47 would eliminate the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Wyoming. Sponsored by Sen. Kent Jennings, R-Casper, SF 47 passed the Senate in...

Dear Friends of Liberty, I need your help! Constitutional Carry legislation ‘SF-47’ is to be heard in a Senate Committee on Tuesday January 18th. It is urgent that you contact the Senate Committee members immediately and let them know that you want to restore the Constitution in Wyoming by passing ‘SF-47’. Note: SF-47 does NOT remove the ability of a citizen to acquire a concealed carry permit. If passed, our Constitutional Carry legislation SF-47 would restore the right of every law-abiding Wyoming citizen to carry a gun to protect themselves and their families — WITHOUT going through a bunch of...

Columnist George Will aptly described the Obama administration as "implacably hostile toward free enterprise." One example of this its crusade to arbitrarily demonize American couples who make more than $250,000 as rich, greedy and unworthy. Couples who make less than $250,000 per year are encouraged to resent, and exact tax retaliation, on their countrymen who make more. The political calculation of this Obama-generated class warfare is transparent. However, entrepreneurs and small businesses create over two-thirds of net new jobs, and most job creators are organized as Limited Liability Companies, subchapter S corporations or other business entities whose tax liability is...

The Wyoming NFA Shooters Club is sponsoring an event this weekend, this is your chance to join in on rapid fire action as a spectator or you can participate in fully automatic gun fire. (Machinegun rentals available) Please check out the Wyoming NFA Shooters Club web-site for shooter registration and safety information. Click here If you have never been around operating machine guns then you are in for a some real fun, just remember to bring your own eye and ear protection. To see a video of a previous event Click here Event Schedule: Fri -June 4th, 8AM til 9PM...

Jackson, Wyo. » The successful prosecution of a Jackson Hole hunter who claimed self defense after killing a grizzly could set a precedent in Greater Yellowstone, where the grizzly population is expanding and loaded guns are now allowed in national parks, experts say. A jury recently found 41-year-old Stephen Westmoreland guilty of a misdemeanor charge of illegally taking a grizzly bear stemming from an incident in September when he shot a bear. He argued self defense in a trial that hinged on the behavior of the bear, among other things. Mark Bruscino, bear management program supervisor for the Wyoming Game...

To the editor: Because one person made a mistake with a handgun in the West Park Hospital emergency room the hospital has now put up signs banning firearms in the hospital. This is basically the same type of situation the Brady anti-gun people use to try to disarm the public. WPH has no armed security personnel so the honest armed public is to their benefit should some nut cause a problem with a handgun. We who carry concealed legally are honest, decent people just as the folks who carry in the open and believe in our Second Amendment rights. I...

We wrap up our series with Wyoming Speaker of the House of Representatives Colin Simpson with a look at a failed bill that has attracted its fair share of controversy. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter has more. House bill 113 was dubbed the concealed carry bill, and it would have allowed Wyoming residents to carry a concealed gun without a permit. While the bill passed in the House of Representatives, it ultimately died in the Senate. Speaker of the House Colin Simpson co-sponsored the bill, and he says that the Senate's decision to kill the legislation didn't come as a surprise...

Wyoming plan will fine feds $2,000 over gun rules and/or possible 2 years in jail for violations committed by federal agent enforcing U.S. regulations on firearms in the State. Wyoming has joined a growing list of states with self-declared exemptions from federal gun regulation of weapons made, bought and used inside state borders –but lawmakers in the Cowboy State have taken the issue one step further, adopting significant penalties for federal agents attempting to enforce Washington's rules. According to a law signed into effect yesterday by Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, any agent of the U.S. who "enforces or attempts to...