In 2025, the Wyoming State Legislature passed House Bill 0172, also known as the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act. The bill, which goes into effect on July 1, 2025, significantly reshapes where individuals can lawfully carry concealed firearms in the state..
As news of the law spread, so did a mix of curiosity, concern, and misinformation. With conflicting claims circulating online and in conversations across the state, Honor Wyoming went directly to the legal experts at Gun Owners of America to get the facts and provide the public with a clear, accurate understanding of what this law really does.
What HB0172 Does
HB0172 removes many restrictions that previously barred law-abiding individuals from carrying concealed weapons in places considered “gun-free zones.” It clarifies that only the state legislature has the authority to regulate firearms and preempts local governments, universities, and other entities from creating their own firearm regulations.
It also introduces penalties for individuals or organizations that attempt to prohibit lawful concealed carry where the law now allows it.
Who Can Carry Under This Law
HB0172 applies to individuals who are lawfully carrying under one of three legal paths:
- With a Wyoming-issued concealed carry permit
- With a valid permit from a state that recognizes Wyoming’s permit
- Under Wyoming’s permitless carry statute (for residents eligible to carry concealed without a permit)
However, different carry permissions apply depending on which of these categories a person falls under.
There has been confusion about what HB0172 does and does not allow—and much of it comes from misunderstanding or misinformation. At its core, the law ensures that individuals who are lawfully permitted to carry concealed weapons have the ability to do so in many public spaces previously deemed off-limits, while preserving private property rights and setting boundaries for high-risk areas.
As with any law, understanding the details matters. Honor Wyoming is committed to promoting facts, transparency, and constitutional rights for all Wyoming residents. That’s why we’ve also included a detailed FAQ section at the end of this blog, where we address the most common community questions.
The law does not prohibit certain types of concealed carry in K-12 schools, colleges, most government buildings, and in most public meetings. It does not permit concealed carrying in certain places, including jails, courtrooms, and places with explosive materials. Specifically, exceptions are created to the prohibitions on the carrying of concealed weapons for persons lawfully carrying under (1) a Wyoming-issued permit (6-8-104(a)(ii)), (2) a valid statewide permit from a state that recognizes Wyoming’s concealed carry permit (6-8-104(a)(iii), and (3) Wyoming’s permitless carry statute (6-8-104(a)(iv).
- Persons carrying concealed under a Wyoming-issued permit (6-8-104(a)(ii)) are not prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon in the following places:
- At any meeting of a governmental entity (a “governmental entity” is defined under W.S. 6-8-105(h) as “the state, the University of Wyoming, and any local government as defined by W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ii))- “Local government” means:
- cities and towns,
- counties,
- school districts,
- joint powers boards,
- airport boards,
- public corporations,
- entities formed by a county memorial hospital,
- special hospital district,
- rural health care district or senior health care district that are wholly owned by one (1) or more governmental entities,
- community college districts,
- special districts and their governing bodies,
- all political subdivisions of the state, and their agencies, instrumentalities and institutions, and
- governmental entities of another state but only while physically present in the state of Wyoming and while in the course of operating a cooperative public transportation program as defined by W.S. 16-1-104(f);
- At any meeting of the legislature or a legislative committee;
- In areas of any public airport where the carrying of concealed weapons is not prohibited by federal law or regulation;
- Any public buildings except;
- Law enforcement operation and administrative facilities, without written permission by the chief administrator;
- Detention facilities, prisons, or jails;
- Courtrooms, except for judges and those who have permission to carry concealed by a judge;
- Within state agency-operated health and human services facilities, including facilities licensed by the department of family services or department of corrections, or health and human services facilities that are certified by the behavioral health division of the department of health to provide residential services, including:
- Wyoming State Hospital (Evanston)
- Wyoming Life Resource Center (Lander)
- Wyoming Retirement Center (Basin)
- Wyoming Pioneer Home (Thermopolis)
- Veteran’s Home of Wyoming (Buffalo)
- Department of Family Services (DFS) facilities such as child care centers, group homes, and juvenile residential programs
- Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities, including correctional institutions and related programs
- Wyoming Behavioral Institute (WBI) – Casper, WY, an 81-bed acute care psychiatric hospital offering inpatient treatment for children, adolescents, and adults
- Peak Wellness Center – Cheyenne, WY, provides residential and outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services
- Central Wyoming Counseling Center (CWCC) – Casper, WY, offers residential treatment for substance use disorders, including detoxification and transitional living programs
- Southwest Counseling Service – Rock Springs, WY, provides residential and outpatient services for mental health and substance use disorders
- Facilities where explosive or volatile materials are present.
- Athletic events for a public school or public college or university taking place on public property that do not sell alcoholic beverages;
- Any elementary or secondary school facility unless the person is enrolled as a student at any elementary or secondary school; and
- Any public college or university facility.
- At any meeting of a governmental entity (a “governmental entity” is defined under W.S. 6-8-105(h) as “the state, the University of Wyoming, and any local government as defined by W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ii))- “Local government” means:
- Persons carrying concealed under a valid statewide permit from a state that recognizes Wyoming’s concealed carry permit (6-8-104(a)(iii) are not prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon in the following places: (Such persons can carry in those same locations identified under section (1)a-d above.)
- At any meeting of a governmental entity (a “governmental entity” is defined under subsection (h) as “the state, the University of Wyoming, and any local government as defined by W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ii));
- At any meeting of the legislature or a legislative committee;
- In areas of any public airport where the carrying of concealed weapons is not prohibited by federal law or regulation;
- Any public buildings except;
- Law enforcement operation and administrative facilities without written permission;
- Detention facilities, prisons, or jails;
- Courtrooms, except for judges and those who have permission to carry concealed by a judge;
- Within state agency-operated health and human services facilities, including facilities licensed by the department of family services or department of corrections, or health and human services facilities that are certified by the behavioral health division of the department of health to provide residential services.
- Facilities where explosive or volatile materials are present.
- Persons carrying concealed under Wyoming’s permitless carry statute (6-8-104(a)(iv) are not prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon in the following places: (Such persons can carry in those same locations identified under section (1)a-d above.)
- At any meeting of a governmental entity (a “governmental entity” is defined under subsection (h) as “the state, the University of Wyoming, and any local government as defined by W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ii));
- At any meeting of the legislature or a legislative committee;
- In areas of any public airport where the carrying of concealed weapons is not prohibited by federal law or regulation;
- Any public buildings except;
- Law enforcement operation and administrative facilities without written permission;
- Detention facilities, prisons, or jails;
- Courtrooms, except for judges and those who have permission to carry concealed by a judge;
- Within state agency-operated health and human services facilities, including facilities licensed by the department of family services or department of corrections, or health and human services facilities that are certified by the behavioral health division of the department of health to provide residential services.
- Facilities where explosive or volatile materials are present.
See the above answer for details on carry locations under a Wyoming permit, permit from another state, and permitless carry. That being said, a person may carry concealed under the Wyoming permitless carry statute at any meeting of a governmental entity, any meeting of the legislature, certain areas of any public airport, and any public building not otherwise prohibited. A Wyoming concealed carry permit is required to carry in a primary or secondary school facility, a public university or college facility, or on public property hosting an alcohol-free athletic event for a public school or public college or university.
This law is specific to and only deals with the carrying of concealed weapons and thus does not change Wyoming laws related to open carry that existed prior to this law being passed. That being said, this law does include a provision that states nothing in the statute “prohibit[s] a governmental entity from prohibiting the open carry, display or wearing of a firearm in its facilities or on its campus.” Thus, individuals should be aware that they may not be able to open carry firearms in a governmental entity’s facilities or on its campus, even though there is no prohibition on the concealed carry of firearms in those locations.
Yes. 6-8-105(d)(ii) states that nothing in the statute “prohibit[s] a private property owner from restricting firearms on his private property.” This law changes nothing for private property owners, who may still decide for themselves whether to allow or not allow the carry of firearms on their property.
This bill does not affect the limited authority local governments have to regulate firearms in their jurisdictions. Under W.S. 6-8-401, which was in effect prior to this law, the authority to regulate firearms is preempted by the state, and “no city, town, county, political subdivision or any other entity shall” have the authority to regulate “firearms, weapons, accessories, components or ammunition.” The law does amend W.S. 6-8-401 to specifically give the Wyoming legislature, and not the “state” generally, the authority to regulate firearms. Further, it adds “state agency” to those government entities that are preempted from regulating firearms, which includes the University of Wyoming.
This bill also does not affect the authority of school boards to regulate firearms in their jurisdiction, as a school board is covered under the firearm preemption statute W.S. 6-8-401. As stated above, W.S. 6-8-401 states that “no city, town, county, political subdivision or any other entity shall” have the authority to regulate “firearms, weapons, accessories, components or ammunition.” Under W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ii))- “Local government” means, a local government entity includes any “school district.” As such, the authority to regulate firearms is currently preempted by the Wyoming legislature and was preempted by the state prior to the passage of this law. That being said, subsection (f) of this law authorizes the board of trustees in each school district to “adopt the rules and regulations to govern employees and volunteers lawfully carrying concealed weapons” under a Wyoming concealed carry permit “on or in any property or facility owned or leased by the school district” which are laid out under subsection (f). This subsection does not grant the school boards new authority to pass rules and regulations regarding firearms but simply recodifies W.S. 21-3-132, which was repealed by this law. Thus, this bill does not affect or change the authority of school boards to regulate firearms. Prior to this law, only the state could regulate firearms, with school boards only having the authority to pass rules and regulations regarding employees carrying firearms on campus with a Wyoming permit. With the passage of this law, only the Wyoming legislature can regulate firearms, with school boards having the same authority to pass rules and regulations regarding employees carrying firearms on campus with a Wyoming permit.
Yes. W.S. 6-8-105(f) creates storage and training requirements for employees and volunteers of a school district if the trustees of a school district choose to adopt the rules and regulations. W.S. 6-8-105(f)(i) “requires a person carrying a firearm pursuant to this section to maintain the firearm on his person at all times or in a concealed biometric container or lock box within the direct control of the person at all times.” As to training requirements, under W.S. 6-8-105(f)(ii), a training curriculum must be made in consultation with local law enforcement and include: (i) an initial training course of no less than 16 hours of live fire handgun training and 8 hours of scenario-based training; and (ii) annual firearm training of no less than 12 hours. The board of trustees in any school district may waive all or part of the training requirements for employees who work in isolated rural schools.
Additionally, 6-8-105(d)(vii) states that the statute does not prohibit a governmental entity, which includes the University of Wyoming, “from requiring any employee or student to store firearms within a concealed biometric container or a lock box within the employee’s or student’s direct control at all times when the firearms are not being carried[.]” However, the government entity cannot: (i) “prohibit the storage of firearms and ammunition in public campus housing by any employee or student authorized to carry a concealed firearm,” or (ii) require a firearm be stored unloaded or stored separate from its ammunition. Thus, these requirements are not implemented by the statute, but authorize a government entity to implement them.
Pursuant to subsection (e) of the statute, the penalty against a person who knowingly prohibits the lawful carrying of a concealed weapon into a place authorized under the statute is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.
Yes.
1. Carrying concealed under a Wyoming Permit 6-8-104(a)(ii): A person carrying a concealed firearm under a Wyoming permit would be prohibited from carrying in the following locations:
- Any facility used primarily for law enforcement operations or administration, without written permission from the chief administrator;
- Detention facilities, prisons, or jails;
- Courtrooms, except for judges and those who have permission to carry concealed by a judge;
- Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic liquor and malt beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose;
- Within state agency-operated health and human services facilities, including facilities licensed by the department of family services or department of corrections, or health and human services facilities that are certified by the behavioral health division of the department of health to provide residential services;
- Facilities where explosive or volatile materials are present.
- Athletic events for a public school or public college or university taking place on public property that sell alcoholic beverages;
- Private property where the private property owner prohibits or restricts firearm possession.
2. Carrying concealed under a valid statewide permit from a state that recognizes Wyoming’s concealed carry permit (6-8-104(a)(iii) . A person carrying a concealed firearm under a valid and recognized concealed carry permit from another state would be prohibited from carrying in the following locations:
- Any facility used primarily for law enforcement operations or administration, without written permission from the chief administrator;
- Detention facilities, prisons, or jails;
- Courtrooms, except for judges and those who have permission to carry concealed by a judge;
- Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic liquor and malt beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose;
- Within state agency-operated health and human services facilities, including facilities licensed by the department of family services or department of corrections, or health and human services facilities that are certified by the behavioral health division of the department of health to provide residential services;
- Facilities where explosive or volatile materials are present.
- Athletic events for a public school or public college or university taking place on public property;
- Any public elementary or secondary school facility;
- Any public college or university facility;
- Private property where the private property owner prohibits or restricts firearm possession.
3. Carrying concealed under Wyoming’s permitless carry statute (6-8-104(a)(iv) . A person carrying a concealed firearm under Wyoming’s permitless carry statute is prohibited from carrying in those same places as an individual carrying with a valid and recognized concealed carry permit from another state.
In response to the passage of the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, the University of Wyoming has updated UW Regulation 6-4 regarding the use of university buildings, grounds, and services, which will go into effect July 1, 2025. Specifically, the change amends subsection D. Dangerous Weapons, to allow individuals with a Wyoming concealed carry permit to carry a concealed handgun in or upon University facilities, including University apartments, as well as store handguns in or upon University facilities, including University apartments. Further, the updated regulation defines “firearms storage container or lock box” and “direct control of a firearm storage container or a lock box” as:
“Firearms storage container or lock box is defined as a locked, hard-sided safe, gun case, or similar secure device designed specifically for storing firearms when not in use. For the purpose of this Regulation, direct control of a firearm storage container or a lock box refers to the authority and ability to access it, even if it is not in the individual’s immediate physical possession at all times. This means the individual must retain control over the key, combination, or other access mechanisms to ensure that only authorized individuals can open or use the lock box. Additionally, the firearm storage container or a lock box must be securely placed and protected to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or misuse, allowing the individual to maintain control and oversight.”
Finally, the University has updated its Campus Carry FAQs, which will take effect July 1, 2025. (In addition to the official University responses identified, here is a link to an article by Prof. George Mocsary, director of the University of Wyoming College of Law Firearms Research Center, entitled “Understanding Wyoming’s New Campus Carry Law.”
As for elementary and secondary school districts,School Districts have been developing policies for employees and volunteers, so citizens should check with local Districts as those can change at any time. The Districts don’t have the legal authority to regulate carry by citizens who are not employees or volunteers.
Yes. In terms of regulations, under W.S. 6-8-105, the board of trustees in each school district may adopt the rules and regulations identified in subsection (f), and a government entity, defined under subsection (g), is not prohibited from regulating “the open carry, display or wearing of a firearm in its facilities or on its campus.” So, under this law, there could be further changes in specific school districts regarding the carrying and storing of firearms in elementary and secondary schools, as well as the open carry of firearms in or upon the facilities of government entities.
As far as influencing legislation in other states, hopefully, this law will lead to other states passing similar, if not stronger, versions of a repeal gun-free zones act.