Governor signs firearm bills, vetoes bill to repeal gun-free zones – Buckrail

CHEYENNE, Wyo. On Friday, March 22, Governor Gordon signed four bills in support of the second amendment, while vetoing House Bill 125, which would eliminate gun safe zones in schools and hospitals.

Gordon signed SF0073 Concealed firearms-permit eligibility,SF0105 Wyoming Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act,SF0109 Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act andSF0086 School safety and security-funding, in order to strengthen Wyomings status as a Second-Amendment friendly state, according to the announcement from his office.

According to the Governors Office, Senate File 105 protects the privacy and sensitive financial information of people purchasing firearms, firearms parts or ammunition in Wyoming by prohibiting credit card processors from using firearms or firearm-related merchant category codes. It also prohibits government or private entities from keeping any registry of privately owned firearms.

Senate File 109 prohibits red flag gun laws from being enforced or implemented in Wyoming. The Red Flag Law, also known as the Extreme Risk Protection Order law, prevents individuals showing signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing any kind of firearm.

Senate File 73 amends concealed carry permit regulations to allow those who have had their firearms taken away to be eligible to have their gun rights restored. The bill states that applications for a permit to carry a concealed firearm will be distributed by the division of criminal investigation and local law enforcement agencies.

Senate File 86 creates an account to reimburse school districts for costs related to possession of firearms on school property by school district employees.

Gordon emphasized his support of firearms in Wyoming but cited Article 2 of the Wyoming Constitution in his opposition of HB0125 Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments. He said that the bill exceeds the separation of powers in local and state government.

I am a fervent supporter of the Second AmendmentHowever, 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, Governor Gordon wrote in his veto letter. Any further clarification of the law, if this bill were enacted, would augment the Legislatures reach into local firearms regulation.

The Governor noted the bill would require each state facility, such as the University of Wyoming, Wyoming State Hospital or the Wyoming Boys School, to receive legislative approval to restrict carrying firearms, or even to set policies including proper weapon storage. It would also repeal the statute that has allowed school districts to establish specific policies allowing concealed carry in their districts.

With the repeal of the bill, state, county and town governments can regulate or ban concealed firearms in public spaces, including schools and hospitals.

According to the Governors Office, House Bill 125 needs more input, discussion and review. The State Building Commission will begin a process to reconsider rules to allow concealed carry permit holders to exercise their rights within the Capitol and other appropriate state facilities. That process will involve public input.

Every piece of legislation must stand for critical review, particularly those affecting our constitutional rights, the Governor wrote. As delivered to my desk, this bill lacks sufficient review and debate.A bill covering such a sensitive topic does not lend itself to successive tweaks to correct flaws, and therefore I believe the Legislature should be open to debating and fully working this bill through its established processes.

The Governors veto letter can be seenhere.

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Governor signs firearm bills, vetoes bill to repeal gun-free zones - Buckrail