Wyoming: Two Self-Defense Bills Sent to the Senate and Permitless Carry Legislation on the House Floor!

Wyoming’s fast moving legislative session has seen a recent flurry of action on legislation intended to protect and guarantee your right to self-defense. 

House Bill 122 passed successfully on the House floor by a 57 to 3 vote.  It will now head to the Senate to await its next assignment.  This bill would remove the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you have a legal right to be. If passed, you would no longer have to turn your back on a criminal and try to run when attacked. Instead, you may stand your ground and fight back, meeting force with force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others.

Also, by a 58 to 1 vote and with one absent, House Bill 167 successfully passed out of the House and will now awaits its next vote after being referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  This “Castle Doctrine” bill would strengthen a person’s right to self-defense in their own home.

Permitless Carry legislation, Senate File 47, passed out of House committee last week and now waits to be considered on the House floor.  Sponsored by state Senator Kit Jennings (R-28), SF 47 is an important update to lawful carry in Wyoming.  It would allow for lawful carry of a concealed firearm without the burdensome requirement of acquiring a Wyoming carry permit. The approval of this pivotal legislation bodes well for law-abiding citizens of Wyoming who wish to protect not only themselves but family and friends alike.

In Wyoming it is generally legal to carry a firearm openly as long as one is at least 18 years of age and not prohibited from possessing a firearm.  However, if the firearm becomes covered with a coat, or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm in her purse, one needs to possess a concealed carry permit. The intent of this legislation is to give people the greatest possible freedom to choose the best method of carry for them, based on attire, gender, and/or physical attributes.

Please contact your Representative and respectfully urge him or her to support SF 47.  To find your state Representative and their contact information, please click here.