LARAMIE – The University of Wyoming is seeking feedback on potential changes to the college regulation 6-4, the use of university buildings, grounds and services in a survey available online. The survey provides a brief explanation of the Repeal Gun Free Zones and Preemption Amendments, HB 0125, House Enrolled Act Number 49 (HB 0125), which was passed by both houses only to be vetoed by Mark Gordon, Wyoming State Governor on March 22.

“HB 0125, as passed, would have created a new statute, entitled the Wyoming Gun Free Zones Act.  The bill would have specifically permitted that anyone lawfully carrying a concealed weapon could do so at ‘[a]ny public school, public college or university athletic event taking place on public property that does not sell alcoholic beverages’ and ‘[a]ny public college or university facility.’  The bill would have given the legislature preemption of state entities, including the university, to regulate the storage, use, and possession of firearms.  The bill also included criminal and civil penalties for persons that knowingly prohibit entry to someone based on their possession of a concealed weapon,” the survey reads. 

“Although the governor vetoed the bill, his veto memo reinforces his support for the second amendment, and advocates for ‘firearm freedom’. His veto was not based on an opposition to repealing gun-free zones, but rather that he viewed the legislation as the erosion of local control norms, and ‘giving sole authority to the legislature to micromanage a constitutionally protected right.’ He also stated that were the bill enacted, it ‘would augment the legislature’s reach into local firearms regulation’ and extend the separation of powers of the Wyoming Constitution. The governor has called on ‘school districts, community colleges, and the University [of Wyoming] to take up these difficult conversations again and establish policies that allow for the safe carry of concealed weapons within their facilities,’ the university pages read. 

The university’s website asks participants to rate their level of agreement with five main options. Option one is to maintain current regulations which state, “no dangerous weapon may be stored or carried in or upon university facilities; option two, revise current regulations to allow Wyoming constitutional concealed carry on campus except in sensitive areas; option three, is to revise current regulations to allow concealed carry on campus only with a permit, except in sensitive areas; option four, revise current regulation to allow unlimited Wyoming constitutional concealed carry on campus and option five, revise current regulation to allow unlimited concealed carry on campus only with permit. 

The survey asks participants for their “primary affiliation” to the UW and offers an option for UW staff, UW students, Wyoming residents and other. The survey can be found here: https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a01Wrwwu5EYPYcC