Mead vetoes gun bill

Bud Patterson
Posted 3/22/17

Governor Matt Mead continues to sign bills from Wyoming’s 64th Legislature, but last week he vetoed Original House Bill 137 which would have allowed concealed carry in any government meeting on public property, except for legislative meetings, which could

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Mead vetoes gun bill

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TORRINGTON – Governor Matt Mead continues to sign bills from Wyoming’s 64th Legislature, but last week he vetoed Original House Bill 137 which would have allowed concealed carry in any government meeting on public property, except for legislative meetings, which could have set its own rules.
The governor did sign Original house Bill 194 which allows school districts to adopt rules for concealed carry on school property.
In a press release issued following the veto Mead said, “Vetoing any bill is not a decision I take lightly. This bill had flaws.
“House Bill 137 would have allowed concealed carry in any government meetings on public property but, for legislative meetings on public property, would have allowed concealed carry only where permitted. These were not consistent provisions. It was problematical for the Legislature to treat a county commissioner meeting or town council meeting, for example, different from legislative meetings.”
In his letter to Secretary of State Edward Murray outlining his reason for the veto, Mead said the bill removed local control from local governments to govern as they saw fit. He also pointed out that none of the action taken altered the legal “open carry” of firearms
in meetings.
Torrington Mayor Mike Varney said he was “elated” at the governor’s veto. “I did not think it was a very well written bill when they excluded cities, towns and counties from having the option to either stay in it or option out.

“They gave schools, colleges and universities the option but never gave it to us. So I thought the bill was pretty short sighted.”
Varney was quick to point out the legislature talks a lot about maintaining local control over issues but removed it completely from HB 137.
“They always say local government is closest to the people but we never had the option of deciding that for ourselves,” he said. “And being told by the Legislature that this what you are going to get, that’s what irked the living daylights out of me. No, I did not appreciate that.”
Senator Anthony Bouchard (R-District 6), who represents a small portion of southern Goshen County, and co-sponsored HB 137, said in response to the local control issue argued by Varney that, “Local officials should read the Wyoming Constitution and also read its preemptive laws.
“It is the state legislature’s first job to protect people’s rights.”
Citing Article One, Section Seven of the Wyoming Constitution, Bouchard made the case that no majority, not even at the local level, can restrict an individuals rights, including the right to bear arms.
“Local control on this issue is just local gun control,” he emphasized. “Article one, Section seven basically says not even a majority can take away rights and Article one, Section 24 says the right to bear arms shall not be denied.”
Bouchard also pointed out the Wyoming Association of Municipalities came out strongly against HB 137. He said the organization sent an email to legislators claiming that a majority of its members, without giving numbers, were against the bill.
“WAM is an affiliate of National League of Cities and they have pushed their anti-gun message all over the nation.”
Cheri Steinmetz, who is the county’s representative whose constituency is completely within the county’s boundaries, basically agreed with Bouchard’s assessment of the setback.
“I supported the original concept of HB137,” Steinmetz said in a text. “It was not as strong after the senate amendments. WAM’s opposition had an impact on the overall outcome of the legislation. We must all remember local control does not trump the right to self defense as guaranteed by both the Wyoming and U.S. Constitutions.”
To override Mead’s veto, the legislative leadership would have to call a special session, and no one interviewed thought that would happen.
“A special session costs a lot of money,” Bouchard said. “I don’t think that will happen but it is up to the leadership. Next year will be another difficult session.”
Then he added as a last thought on HB 137, “I can’t imagine the people of Wyoming having a patchwork of laws were people would have to go to every municipality to argue their case.”