CHEYENNE—Imagine a world where state capitol buildings are filled with lawmakers who spend their days making motions, introducing amendments and making impassioned speeches — all while packing heat.
It’s a world — where senators and representatives have firearms strapped underneath their daily garb — that the Wyoming Legislature is potentially moving toward for its 2025 general session.
Asked how he feels about the prospect of a couple dozen or so concealed handguns on the floor of the Wyoming House of Representatives in the coming legislative session, Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland) offered up one word.
“Amazing,” he told WyoFile in the hallway of the Capitol Extension building.
Haroldson, a pastor who’s spearheading the policy change via House Bill 125 – Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments, said that he’d “absolutely” carry a firearm himself if his measure passes, and that a room full of concealed guns would “absolutely” make him feel safer. Armed lawmakers aren’t a worry, he said, because, “at the end of the day” it’s a matter of “personal responsibility.”
“You could pick up a candy bowl and you could hurt someone with that, too,” Haroldson said.
Haroldson’s HB 125, co-sponsored by 16 other right-leaning lawmakers, is not the Legislature’s first stab at banning gun-free zones in government buildings in Wyoming. As recently as the 2023 budget session, lawmakers introduced a bill that sought to prohibit gun-free zones at governmental and legislative meetings. It did not get far in the legislative process.
This year’s shot, however, passed the House on Tuesday. Only seven representatives voted against — five of them from the chamber’s small fleet of Democrats — in both its introduction vote and on third and final reading
Haroldson had some theories as to why.
“I believe that in the past there have been some gun organizations that their goal was not to pass [legislation],” Haroldson said, “their goal was to get coverage in the media.”
Secondly, he said, HB 125 — unlike past bills of the sort — was assigned to a sympathetic committee, House Judiciary, where it received favorable treatment.
There were 14 amendments as HB 125 navigated its way to House passage, several of them from Rep. Sandy Newsome (R-Cody), who fought to preserve school districts’ authority to regulate concealed firearms in the classrooms and hallways of their public schools. Her home district, Park County School District 6, started its own firearms policy that allows for concealed carry in 2018.
“My concern is we have an armed, trained staff and now we’re going to allow citizens off the street to come into our schools concealed-carry,” Newsome said on the House floor. “My fear is that one of our teachers will shoot a citizen who comes into our school legally.”
Uncertainty over who is armed, she said, could have the effect of killing the district’s concealed carry program.
“My fear is that we will lose the people who are protecting our school children every day,” Newsome said, “because they don’t want that uncertainty.”
Haroldson opposed Newsome’s attempts to preserve local control. Each amendment got voted down. The Wheatland pastor did, however, push through an amendment that restored school districts’ authority to regulate concealed carry among their own employees — but it does not have any bearing on armed members of the public entering schools.
Another amendment brought by Rep. Art Washut (R-Casper) sought to ensure that governments can continue to prohibit the open-carrying of firearms.
“You can imagine being down here on the floor debating some contentious issue while there’s a bunch of people up here in the gallery standing at port arms with long guns,” Washut said. “I don’t think that’s really about self-defense. The open carry of firearms may in some circumstances be more about political intimidation.”
Opposing Washut’s amendment, fellow Casper Rep. Jeanette Ward welcomed a world where onlookers could openly display long guns in the House gallery.
“Constitutional carry doesn’t change based on where you are,” she said. “Constitutional carry means you can conceal carry, open carry, carry on your head, carry on your foot.”
Speaking on the floor, Haroldson didn’t take a position on the amendment. It passed, excluding open-carrying from a bill that would otherwise upend how concealed firearms are regulated in governmental facilities in Wyoming.
The bill does not have bearing on private property, but does drastically change where gun bans would be allowed on state, county and town property. The version of House Bill 125 that emerged from the House specifies only a few government spaces where concealed firearms could still be prohibited.
Exemptions are included for K-12 and collegiate athletic events where alcohol is being sold, and facilities that are run or certified by the Behavioral Health Division of the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Department of Family Services — which includes facilities like the Wyoming Girls’ School and Boys’ School. Prohibitions would also remain intact where “explosive or volatile materials are present.”
The legislation does not explicitly exempt legal facilities like courthouses and police stations, but lawmakers supporting HB 125 spoke of those places as examples of where concealed carry could still be prohibited. There is a clause in HB 125 that reads it, “shall not be construed to … Allow the carrying of a concealed weapon into facilities where otherwise prohibited by law.”
Wyoming wouldn’t be the first state to lift gun-free zones in public places like the State Capitol building if HB 125 were to become law. That’s according to Nephi Cole, a representative for the National Shooting Sports Foundation who testified in the House Judiciary Committee.
“Just in the region that I work, I can carry a concealed firearm into the capitols in Idaho, into Montana, Utah and Minnesota,” Cole said.
Advocates of HB 125 have contended that mandating concealed carry be permitted in public spaces like schools could make those areas safer by creating a corps of armed “good guys” who will be at the ready to stop armed “bad guys.”
“The truth of the matter is any shooting is absolutely horrendous, but when it’s done in a place where people didn’t have the right to defend themselves, I believe it’s a travesty,” Haroldson said in committee. “We are creating soft zones by adding gun-free zones.”
That’s an argument that doesn’t pass muster with Rep. Ken Chestek (D-Laramie), who motioned to delete HB 125’s enacting clause — a procedural tactic to kill the bill — just before the House passed the legislation in a 54-7 vote.
“The question before the body now is whether this bill makes schools safe, or makes them less safe,” Chestek said. “I submit to you that this bill actually makes schools and campuses less safe.”
“When there are more guns,” he added, “there’s going to be more shooting.”
House Bill 125 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it would be worked by Sens. Bill Landen (R-Casper), Cale Case (R-Lander), Ed Cooper (R-Ten Sleep), Dan Furphy (R-Laramie) and Wendy Shuler (R-Evanston). As of Thursday afternoon, HB 125 was not appearing in the Senate Judiciary’s calendar on wyoleg.gov, but Haroldson told WyoFile it will be considered on Monday — the last day for bills to be reported out of committee in the second chamber.
Correction: This story was updated to remove inaccurate information about past legislative attempts to repeal gun-free zones. It’s also been updated to correct Rep. Chestek’s party affiliation in a photo caption. —Ed.
The CDC states that the rate of gun fatalities varies widely from state to state. In 2021, the states with the highest total rates of gun-related deaths – counting murders, suicides and all other categories tracked by the CDC – included Mississippi (33.9 per 100,000 people), Louisiana (29.1), New Mexico (27.8), Alabama (26.4) and Wyoming (26.1). The gun death rate in the U.S. is much higher than in most other nations, particularly developed nations. But it is still far below the rates in several Latin American countries, according to a 2018 study of 195 countries and territories by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
The U.S. gun death rate was 10.6 per 100,000 people in 2016, the most recent year in the study, which used a somewhat different methodology from the CDC. That was far higher than in countries such as Canada (2.1 per 100,000) and Australia (1.0), as well as European nations such as France (2.7), Germany (0.9) and Spain (0.6). But the rate in the U.S. was much lower than in El Salvador (39.2 per 100,000 people), Venezuela (38.7), Guatemala (32.3), Colombia (25.9) and Honduras (22.5), the study found. Overall, the U.S. ranked 20th in its gun fatality rate that year. That is a lot to read but, if read, it is a real indication that if Wyoming loosens its already loose gun laws, it will contribute to more deaths.
“My fear is that one of our teachers will shoot a citizen who comes into our school legally.” Quote from legislator. Doesn’t say much about the quality of training for armed teachers.
This country is swirling swiftly down the toilet bowl to fascism. Wyoming wants to show how it’s done.
Beside controlling free speech, the next big goal of fascism is to disarm the public.
Gun ownership wouldn’t make a damned bit of difference if what you propose were to come about. I have heard too much air-bagging and poor shooting to put any faith in a band of popgunners. They have a much higher opinion of themselves as gun handlers than I of them.
Comments made on 03/02/2024 are STILL ‘awaiting moderation’? Ohhh…they mean CENSORSHIP.
Did carrying a gun and wearing PPE protect Sgt. Nevada Krinkee from a citizen carrying a fire arm? No, and yet this man, bless him for the ultimate sacrifice, was a highly trained LEO. The shooting in Kansas City, started because one person didn’t like the way another was “looking” at him. 1 dead and multiple injurys, and yet there were 800 or so armed LEOs at the celebration. I’m not quite sure why people seem to think that more guns equal a safer environment.
I don’t have a good solution or answer for the level of gun violence that we’re experiencing, but I do know this, the decision should be left at the local level, not up to 93 Wyoming elected officials.
Very happy that I’m soon moving out of this state, after nearly 50 years here. This is a perfect example why. Insanity has taken over. Stupidity is now viewed as the ultimate virtue. Hatred and cruelty towards others, even somewhat different in any way, is now public policy. This is today’s State of Wyoming. The Equality State? Now a sick joke. Bye!!
Antigun arguments always suppose horrible results if rules are relaxed. Then when the rules ARE finally relaxed in the real world crime goes down. In state after state antigun rules are being relaxed, and gee whizz crime rates go down. An armed society is a polite society
This idea may sound a little absurd at first, but bear with me. When the 2nd is invoked everyone seems to fixate on the”arms” part at the very end. What about the rest of the Amendment? What the heck is “A well regulated Militia” anyway? Is it the patriotic duty of every able bodied citizen to take the inititive to obtain a serviceable weapon and keep it on their person at all times for the protection of our collective liberties? Or is it simply a choice? If it really is our solemn duty as citizens, it should in turn then be mandatory that every citizen be required to participate equally in shouldering the burdens of defending the lives and liberties of all…..all the time…. Imagine if you will a society where you are frowned upon (or fined…or jailed) should you fail to lug your musket along with you to the bodega every time you needed a quart of milk…… Make no mistake about it……the responsibility of bearing of arms is a personal choice and a personal privilege and as such should also be “well regulated” for the protection of the right and rights of everyone.
“Regulated” by the way is not necessarily a dirty word. It didn’t take long to come up with the equitable system for regulating the operation of tin lizzies that we all abide by to this day. Why not apply those same rules of the road to firearms? If you want to operate in the public sphere you must be able to: Demonstrate a rudimentary ability to safely operate the equipment. Obtain the proper licensing. Abide by all applicable state and federal laws. Requirements for registration, yearly taxation, and by making every gun owner maintain a personal liability insurance policy we would also go a long way toward making sure that the ones choosing to play are also the ones paying the full price for the protection of that privilege. This isn’t an “infringement” of a right it is called taking some reasonable responsibility to ensure that the “good guy” really has the best of intentions, and that if he should happen to have a “bad day” at the very least we will all be indemnified…..
All you people commenting that “Wyoming is regressive” or “insane”….feel free to leave! Or not move here (for those of you from
Colorado who think we care about your opinion). Wyoming is America’s last bastion of resistance against the culture of “oh, no, I’m afraid, violence doesn’t solve anything, the government will take care of me”. If that doesn’t suit you, that’s ok! You do you! Somewhere else!
Please tell me in Wyoming how many liscensed conceiled carriers are arrested while carrying their pistols? I would guess less than 1/2 a percent or less than all conceiled carriers.
Nationally, “concealed carry” permit holders have a lower rate of crime than police officers.
The 2nd Amendment contains 27 words. Here are the first 13: “A will regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,…”. Does “constitutional carry” make someone a member of a well-regulated militia? No. Do champions of “constitutional carry” care? No. Some probably have not read that clause. Others ignore it because it collides with their belief that the armed Joe or Jill, the good guy with a gun, will come to our rescue. If you buy into that, read the letter to the editor by Peter Howard of Cheyenne in February 24th’s edition of Cowboy State Daily (
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/02/24/letter-to-the-editor-more-training-needed-if-you-want-to-protect-others-with-guns/?_kx=Ak2bvEKQNTr64DeftrDkXj0r9z245R4rDc3wgEmSzkA.UXPtrV). He explains how difficult it is for an untrained person to effectively wield a firearm in a tense situation. Anyone who talks about good guys with guns should read the letter.
Can one bring an assult weapon into the Capitol? Story Gym? the AA? Memorial Stadium?
First, understand that I am a lifelong shooting enthusiast. Second, understand that banning gun-free zones in Wyoming is one of the most irresponsible, ridiculous and dangerous moves the Wyoming Legislature could possibly make. It’s beyond understanding and devoid of anything even close to common sense.
And finally, understand that Wyoming will, one day, pay a horrific price for this patently irresponsible move.
Killing people with guns goes hand in hand with suicidal ideation and mental.illness neither of which gets seriously addressed in Wyoming. To allow people to bring a glock into any political environment or school is simply mad . Imagine some kid shooting a teacher who left his or her own gun in the desk drawer then kills him or herself…
Pro-gun people like to point out after random shooting events that it was because of the shooter’s mental health problems. Ergo, the shooting could have been avoided if only the shooter would have been prohibited from having a firearm by a mental health evaluation. That leads me to believe that gun owners would be willing to have their heads examined in order to possess firearms. Ya right, bring that up and they will look at you like you’re the crazy one. By the way, Wyoming has one of the highest rates of gun deaths per capita in the U.S. Illinois, home of Chicago, isn’t even close.
I’m a teacher and former LEO. I am in 100% agreement in doing away with ‘gun free zones’.
It has been many years since I lived in Wyoming, and I must say I miss the her. I remember that the state was pretty much open carry, of course this was 40 years ago. I would have need to read up on the gun laws on visiting today with the concealed carry laws. It was my understanding that concealed weapons was frowned upon but times have changed.
How would you know who the good guy is vs the bad guy. Don’t all people think they are the good guy? That is the insanity of this. Even the truly bad guys think that they are the good guy which is why they believe it’s ok to kill. More guns don’t make us safer.
You are so right…remember last year in Boulder, CO where a ‘bad guy’ was shooting innocents on the street, a ‘good guy’ with a gun shoots at the shooter and the police show up and shoot the ‘good guy with the gun’? How will law enforcement know the difference in the moment? More guns will not solve any of these issues. No matter how much ‘gun safety’ classes you take, it’s not even close to the training law enforcement gets in dealing with an active shooter situation. Good guy with a gun does not qualify to shoot a person in a highly charged situation where split decisions have to be made.
It’s like they are asking for it, creating their own hazardous workplace. Amnesia?
In 1954, four Puerto Rican nationalists went to the U.S. House of Representatives. They fired 30 rounds from semi-automatic pistols onto the legislative floor from the Ladies’ Gallery (a balcony for visitors). Five people on the House floor were injured. Should anyone be armed aside from Capitol Police? Wild Wyoming –Yee Haw!
Excellent coverage! The Freedom Caucus won’t be happy until we regress hundreds of years back to the wild west and the OK Corral days. How sad, the U.S. is not evolving, it is regressing.
Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons in Federal facilities and Federal court facilities by all persons not specifically authorized by 18 U.S.C. 930. Violators will be subject to fine and/or imprisonment for periods up to five (5) years. Its worked quite well in protecting people for decades!
SCOTUS recently ruled that ‘banning firearms from US Post Offices was UNCONSITUTIONAL’.
Excuse me. Did Mr. Haroldson liken a loaded firearm to a candy bowl? Remember when a student walked into a school in Uvalde in 2022 and murdered 19 people with a candy bowl? Oh wait. That’s right. It was actually a loaded firearm that killed those innocent people. It makes perfect sense that we should enable those kinds of occurrences even more likely to happen- I don’t see a disconnect here at all.
Wyoming’s solution to gun violence: more guns. We are represented by a pack of idiots.
You are too kind.
Odd how many anti gun people do defend Biden giving weapons to Ukraine tho. To carry on the death destruction there. Just odd
Larry, I didn’t think it was possible but you’ve outdone yourself.
Wish 49 other states follow suit! When rule of law is subverted or biased the safest population is an armed population!
Casper Rep. Jeanette Ward welcomed a world where onlookers could openly display long guns in the House gallery.
“Constitutional carry doesn’t change based on where you are,” she said. “Constitutional carry means you can conceal carry, open carry, carry on your head, carry on your foot.”
Isn’t there something about shooting fish in a barrel?
Other states have had this for years… The majority of these comments are bogus arguments made by those who desire control at every step of loosening firearms restrictions.
Circumstances reveal hearts. Covid showed that within every progressive is a tiny tyrant, itching to control their neighbors. The age old adage about republicans who don’t like guns, not buying one… and democrats who don’t like guns banning everyone from buying one still applies.
Now the question is: will the narrators ban dissent? Half my comments never post on here.
A candy dish? Yeah, if you are withing reach. That probably would be ineffective at 20 feet or more. AND, you just might find that SAME candy dish making it back into the face of the “first user”.
A pastor advocating for guns. I guess Jesus would approve. HAHA. The world and especially Wyoming is upside down. Get rid of the kooks.
Jesus would! Read your Bible! Why did he ask his disciples if they had swords? When they answered two, he said that’s enough?
Turn the other cheek. Remember that one.
Yep Jesus said “Verily verily I say unto you, the right of the people to keep and bear swords shall not be infringed”. It’s in the Bible….somewhere.
“GUN FREE ZONE” “In today’s world” to what extent are “We the people” willing to go with that?
“In today’s world” how many “States” are majority gun free zones? How is that question to be addressed? Do we answer it at a local level? City, County, State, National?
“In today’s world” was probably the expression when the “Black Robed Regiment” was being formed in the colonies within the communities and neighborhoods. The individuals involved with the Black Robed Regiment raised more eyebrows than what would be “In today’s world” today. I would challenge ALL commentating warriors to research into America’s Black Robed Regiment.
“In today’s world” at Athens, Tennessee and the”Battle of Athens, Tennessee” in 1946, that raised eyebrows as well.
“In today’s world” Uvalde, Waco, Ruby Ridge, that raised eyebrows as well and there are many more.
“GUN FREE ZONES” to what extent? Should we ask Pol Pot, Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Stalin or maybe reach way back and ask King George?
“IN TODAY’S WORLD” maybe Putin, Selinski, etc. or any Nation that declare themselves a Democracy because “In today’s world” this REPUBLIC has what the world’s people recognized and respected our “CONSTITUTION” which keeps us SAFE and of course we can’t forget “posse comitatus”?
SEMPER FI!
Wow! Considering the “ginned-up” anger at school board meetings over COVID precautions and rules, situations where those who spoke in favor of the precautions were shouted at and threatened; guess what guns will do? And yes, if there is an active shooter in a builder, guess who the SWAT teams looks for? The first person with a gun … it could be a “good guy”. Oh, having teachers with guns? What could go wrong? Oh like the situation in Utah where the teacher with a gun in the restroom accidentally dropped the firearm leading to its discharge. Or, the teacher who “accidentally” misplaces or loses the firearm? And then there are the “local vigilantes” who will patrol the school grounds as support and security; what could go wrong? Oh, then there are the athletic contests … really? I taught for 36 years and had the experience of a building shooting; we were in a lockdown for over 3 hours. Talk about trauma, trauma in students and teachers. The incident? McCormick J.H.S. in Cheyenne, 1982. An 8th grader came to school and shot themself in the head in the restroom adjacent to the cafeteria. One of the administrators who was trying to talk the person down witnessed the horror. No this bill is not needed, this bill is dangerous and this bill expresses entitlement and fetish. This bill has nothing to do with rights or making schools safer. Shame, shame, shame, shame should it become law.
Insanity wins Wyoming.
The intellectual prowess of Haroldson: https://wyofile.com/lawmaker-suggests-there-were-two-sides-to-history-of-slavery/
My family are hunters and we do carry hand guns also. For protection. But we know gun safety also. It’s not safe not not carry hand gun.
I volunteer for Ceaefire Colorado and i’m willing to bet this pro concealed carry law will result in a mass shooting sooner or later. It is simply not true that arming everyone makes everyone safer because you have to be ready to shoot an active shooter at all times and most such people as we have seen nationwide are prepared to die and in fact plan on doing so. Besides, A semi automatic weapon can kill countless people before you can say Jack Robinson. You’ll find out what The Wild West is all about.
Did Haroldson really compare a candy bowl to a firearm? The man’s stupidity is astounding. Isn’t he the same man that addressed the legislature a few years ago stating that the current state of African Americans is as bad or worse than slavery? What kind of people vote for someone like this? Wyoming’s future is bleak.
People in Wheatland vote for him, that explains it all.
“”Allow Free Speech” as intended and the “Right to Keep BearArms” as intended. Then Stream it Live from the Halls of Congress on Pay Per View, and that might just Balance the Budget?” ~ George Carlin
The problems/predicaments facing the Human Species are not Pivoting on Fulcrum of a Trigger, but simply Free Speech Alone!
Firearm safety needs to be taught from kindergarten thru HS graduation. Upon graduation all should have firearm of choice or archery set of choice gifted to them. All teachers need to be trained and carry all times as well. One step more. All HS graduates should be mandated 2 year military service. Even handicapped. There still a job for you in military.
Amen to that. Everyone needs learn gun safety.
Wait – we can’t force people to put in a mask in a pandemic but we can force them to handle guns ? Hypocrites!
The goofy fringe don’t trust teachers enough to do the jobs they were hired to do. Now you want them to carry guns? Do better…
Laws like this will continue the brain drain that this state faces. I’m certainly glad my children are only a few years away from graduation. It is abhorrent to think it is safe or prudent for guns to be allowed in schools. Wyoming needs to start electing officials that are trying to solve problems, not create more.
Disgusting. A gun loving, pistol packeting preacher leading the charge. Let him preach whatever the hell he wants or duck for cover.
Rex. There nothing wrong with a man of god preaching carry firearm. It for protection of one’s loved ones or self. If all of you believe the meek will inherit the earth you are gladly mistaken. Another thing. It always best to be prepared in event where one needs fire arm. God forbid that ever happens. In event it happens you are prepared. When one needs one it won’t appear out of thin air. Best to have firearm and NEVER need it. Then need it and not have one. It actually not a police officers job to protect you. But it is your job to protect thy self. This crap happens unexpectedly and fast. All these shootings are mental health issue. All 100% preventable. These issues are not gun issue. 100% mental health issues.
It’s about time. Criminals don’t care and will take a gun wherever they want, schools, playgrounds, public buildings, etc. This would no longer give them a safe haven. These gun-free zones would no longer be a barrel full of fish.