The Wyoming legislature pretty much dumped gun free zones effective July 1, 2025. If a person with a concealed firearm permit can now carry concealed (no open carry) in schools from K-post secondary, at athletic events, board meetings, etc. The exception is if a person is a student K-12 at any school in the state, they can't carry in any K-12 school.
Schools can not deny anyone the ability to carry concealed if they have a permit. In fact, to do so is a misdemeanor crime. The legislature also gave schools the right to set minimum training standards for employees, and for school volunteers. School districts can also set standards for for those who provide instruction to their staff and volunteers. If the school doesn't develop standards, employees and volunteers would only need the CWP. Schools statewide have been adopting standards at a jack rabbit's pace.
The minimum requirements set by the state are:
- An initial course that includes at least 16 hours of live fire handgun training, and eight hours of “scenario-based training using nonlethal training,” firearms, and ammunition; and
- Annual firearm qualification and documented recurrent training of not less than 12 hours with an approved instructor.
To date, the district requiring the most training is the high school where I graduated in Laramie, aka "baby Boulder". Their policy is 11 pages long. In a nutshell:
A. Prior to carrying a firearm on School District property, the employee or volunteer shall complete an initial training course comprised of not less than forty-seven (47) hours of live fire handgun training, and sixteen (16) hours of scenario-based training using nonlethal training, firearms, and ammunition.
B. Thereafter, employees and volunteers shall receive recurrent training of not less than eighteen (18) hours each year with an approved instructor.
I suppose that doesn't look too bad on the surface. The problem arises when one looks at other requirements that include de-escalation/hostage negotiations, updates to state and federal firearm and self-defense laws, case studies and legal reviews of use-of-force incidents in schools, participation in joint drills with local police, trauma and emergency medical response training, and the list goes on and on. Oh, the district has also defined the requirements for the trainers. None of the trainers at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy meet the requirements, and the curriculum offered at WLEA misses the mark by a longshot.
The Albany County School Board (Laramie) has made it clear in their position statement that, "Albany County School District No. 1 strongly opposes the Legislature’s repeal of gun free zones3 in K-12 public schools. The intro to their policy reads "Guns simply have no place in our schools and will not make them safer for employees and students". The district seems to be proud of themselves for taking every step possible to make it impossible for a teacher to pack heat. In fact, a teacher can be fired for carrying a gun to a football game, but I can stand next to that teacher with a concealed firearm. If they say shit to me they could get hit with a citation that carries a potential penalty of a year in prison, a $2000.00 fine, or both. Of course, the liberal assed County Attorney would likely never prosecute the school district.
Jackson Wyoming is also pushing back against the abolishment of gun free zones. Just like Albany County, their requirements are so difficult that it's impossible for an employee to meet them. Jackson even went one step further, if an employee met the requirements they would need to sign a waiver absolving the district and their insurance carrier from any liability resulting from the use of a gun. While I am ranting, the legislature also passed a law requiring biological boys to use the "boys" room, and biological girls to use the "girls" room. A quote from the superintendent in Jackson, "Ninety percent of this is just nonsense that this Legislature has decided to inflict on schools,” Mead said. “I don’t think our kids should have to live with weapons. I don’t think they should have to worry about which bathroom they go to.”
Any of you want to guess what Teton County and Albany County have in common?
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