Wyoming Legislature Approves Permitless Carry Bill

Law-abiding Wyoming residents were big winners this week when both chambers the Wyoming Legislature overwhelmingly voted for a permitless/“constitutional” carry bill. When signed into law, Wyoming will become the fourth state to recognize permitless carry, joining Alaska, Arizona and Vermont.  Similar bills are under consideration in other states across the country including Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah.

The concept of permitless carry, where law-abiding residents are allowed to a carry a concealed firearm without permits, has been gaining popularity across the country as more people realize that despite their best intentions, law enforcement cannot be there at the precise moment a crime occurs to prevent the attack.  Furthermore, as state and local governments wrestle with massive budget shortfalls and are forced to lay off law enforcement and furlough prisoners, citizens realize that help will likely arrive later as the odds of a crime occurring increase. The NRA has also always believed that there should not be a tax associated with self-defense and the opportunity to carry a firearm for self-defense without having to obtain a costly permit, especially during these trying economic times, will be welcomed by many.

The lead sponsors of the Wyoming bill are state Senator Kit Jennings and Representative Allen Jaggi. The bill now goes to Governor Matt Mead’s desk for his consideration.