• New rules enacted after bill banning most gunfree zones becomes law

 

By Allison Allsop
Casper Star-Tribune
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

CASPER —  On Thursday, the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees unanimously adopted changes to campus policy to allow permitted concealed carry in school buildings. 

Several board members took time during the discussion to emphasize that the blame does not fall onto them for passing the policy change. 

The Wyoming Legislature passed the Repeal Gun Free Zones and Preemption Amendments Act, which gives individuals the right to concealed carry on public college and university campuses, during the 2025 Legislative Session. 

Gov. Mark Gordon allowed the bill to become law without his signature. 

“The point I really want to make is that this is a mandate from the Legislature,” Chairman Kermit Brown said. “It would be inappropriate to start punishing this board of trustees over the concealed carry that’s going to be permitted on campus because this board had nothing to do with it.” 

Trustee Michelle Sullivan thanked students for taking time to speak with lawmakers and provide feedback while the legislation was still making its way through the chambers. However, she said that she still stands by her vote when the board last took up this issue. 

Sullivan was one of six trustees to vote against the board adopting a new gun policy in November. 

During the November 2024 meeting, the board discussed and voted on whether or not it should adopt changes to campus policy to allow concealed carry in some instances. This act came after Gordon ordered colleges and universities to start making these changes to avoid legislative intervention. 

After extensive discussion between board members and from college students and staff, the motion to amend the policy failed on a 6-5 vote.

 At Thursday’s meeting, Brown said “I told you so.” 

Brown voted in favor of the failed November motion. 

“We had an opportunity to adopt a rule on concealed carry which would have given us an opportunity to go to the legislature,” Brown said. 

The policy change passed on Thursday allows individuals to carry pursuant to the new statue which has exclusions for certain lab spaces, the Early Care and Education Center and sporting events where alcohol is sold. 

The campus policy change also requires individuals to keep guns in a biometric lockbox when not secured on their person on campus. The changes to allow permitted concealed carry in campus buildings will go into effect on July 1.