Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon vetoed legislation which would have allowed armed private citizens to carry concealed sidearms in public schools, according to the Wyoming Eagle.
Gordon, a Republican, stated in his veto letter, “House Bill 125/Enrolled Act No. 49 erodes historic local control norms by giving sole authority to the Legislature to micromanage a constitutionally protected right. Any further clarification of the law, if this bill were enacted, would augment the Legislature’s reach into local firearms regulation.”
However, Wyoming has a preemption law of sorts which reads, “The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the state.”
According to ABC News, the bill Gordon vetoed “would have required each state facility, including the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming State Hospital and the Wyoming Boys’ School, to seek legislative approval to restrict carrying firearms.”
The network noted that a handful of other states allow concealed carry on school grounds. They “include Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.”
The Wyoming File noted that the Wyoming Freedom Caucus blasted the veto, accusing Gordon of taking an “anti-Second Amendment stance.” Supporters of the measure said the veto amounts to as violation of their Second Amendment rights.
HB 125 would have essentially eliminated most so-called “gun-free” zones, with exceptions for private property, federal, property and athletic events where alcohol is sold. Also off limits would be places where “explosive or volatile materials are present.” Also, guns would have been prohibited in police stations, courts, hospitals and jails.
