Wyoming State Building Commission looking into ending some 'gun-free zones'

Wyoming’s State Building Commission is drafting rules to allow people to carry firearms in state-owned buildings and facilities.

The consideration comes after Gov. Mark Gordon outlined the plan in his March 22 veto letter to Secretary of State Chuck Gray regarding House Bill 125, which would have repealed gun free zones and preemption amendments.

The draft rules will allow state employees and the public "to exercise their Second Amendment and concealed carry rights in state-owned buildings and facilities that are operated by the executive branch," according to the governor's office.

The SBC is consists of Gordon, Gray, State Auditor Kristi Racines, Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, and State Treasurer Curt Meier.

Gordon said in a statement Thursday that the conversation “has been a long time coming.”

“I am delighted that we, as the State Building Commission, are taking a comprehensive look at eliminating gun-free zones where appropriate, using a fair and deliberative public process,” he said.

Gray said in a statement that Wyoming is pro-gun and pro-Second Amendment.

“While the Commission’s authority is more limited than the recently vetoed bill that would have repealed gun free zones in Wyoming, I am very excited that the State Building Commission will begin the rulemaking process to allow concealed carry in the Capitol and look forward to continuing to advance the Second Amendment in our state,” he said.

Meier told The Center Square in an email that he agrees with Gov. Gordon "when he says we need to analyze our laws and jurisdiction of State facilities across Wyoming."

“After reviewing Wyoming Statute 6-8-104(t), I question our authority to make such a rule in this situation, but that is something for us to study,” he added.

Meier went on to say that, as a member of the SBC, he looks forward to working with his fellow board members to “ensure that we do what is best for the Capitol Complex, our State employees and citizens of the Cowboy State."

The SBC also includes Ex-Officio members Sens. Ogden Driskill and Stephan Pappas, along with Reps. Tom Walters and Bob Nicholas.