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Hey Guys, Please give me some insight on the open carry issue in the state of WY. I have been there over the past summer, and OCed the whole time no problems. But I am coming back for a hunting trip this October and wanted to get some information from the AGs office before my trip. Below are several threads from 2 e-mails I sent to them over the past week. Your thoughts are appreciated.
ME: I am resident of Maryland and will soon be traveling to WY for a 2 week hunting trip. I hold a Pennsylvania Licence to Carry Firearms which the State of Wyoming honors. In reading your website about locations off-limits to Concealed carry, I noticed a person cannot carry CONCEALED in an establishment that sells alcohol for consumption. The website did not discuss carrying a pistol openly in a holster in one of these establishments or anywhere in Wyoming for that matter. Please comment on the open carry of a pistol through-out the state of Wyoming and in a establishments that sell alcohol. Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated
WY AGs office: Patrick,
Most, if not all towns and cities in Wyoming has adopted a city/town ordinance which prohibits a civilian (non-law enforcement) from carrying a weapon that can be seen by the public. The language contained within the individual city ordinances could vary from city to city. It would be your responsibility to check with local authorities as you travel throughout the state to insure that you do not violate local city ordinance. State Law does not prohibit or regulate open carry, that’s why it does not appear on our state web-site.
Forrest C. Bright
Director
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations
316 W. 22nd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0150
Office: 307-777-7181
ME: Forest,
Thanks for your quick response to my questions. My understanding of Wyoming law is that the State Legislature has complete Preemption over all Firearm laws through-out the state except Indian and Federal Grounds. How can a municipality regulate a mode of firearm carry when the state has statutory preemption? If arrested for violating a municipal ordinance that legally could not be enacted, I cannot see that being enforceable.
WY AGs office: Patrick,
The State of Wyoming is an "open carry" state as it relates to firearms. However, the cities in Wyoming have a legal dominance of what is called "home rule". Home rule simply means that the elected Mayors and City Councils have been given the authority to govern their cities in the manner that they see fit, that also includes having the authority to adopt ordinances that are more restrictive than state statute. Cities can adopt ordinances that are more restrictive, but not less restrictive. Therefore, most all the cities in Wyoming restrict the open carry of firearms, by ordinance, within their jurisdiction. Persons who violate the ordinance can be arrested on the spot.
Forrest C. Bright
Director
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations
316 W. 22nd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0150
Office: 307-777-7181
Hey Guys, Please give me some insight on the open carry issue in the state of WY. I have been there over the past summer, and OCed the whole time no problems. But I am coming back for a hunting trip this October and wanted to get some information from the AGs office before my trip. Below are several threads from 2 e-mails I sent to them over the past week. Your thoughts are appreciated.
ME: I am resident of Maryland and will soon be traveling to WY for a 2 week hunting trip. I hold a Pennsylvania Licence to Carry Firearms which the State of Wyoming honors. In reading your website about locations off-limits to Concealed carry, I noticed a person cannot carry CONCEALED in an establishment that sells alcohol for consumption. The website did not discuss carrying a pistol openly in a holster in one of these establishments or anywhere in Wyoming for that matter. Please comment on the open carry of a pistol through-out the state of Wyoming and in a establishments that sell alcohol. Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated
WY AGs office: Patrick,
Most, if not all towns and cities in Wyoming has adopted a city/town ordinance which prohibits a civilian (non-law enforcement) from carrying a weapon that can be seen by the public. The language contained within the individual city ordinances could vary from city to city. It would be your responsibility to check with local authorities as you travel throughout the state to insure that you do not violate local city ordinance. State Law does not prohibit or regulate open carry, that’s why it does not appear on our state web-site.
Forrest C. Bright
Director
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations
316 W. 22nd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0150
Office: 307-777-7181
ME: Forest,
Thanks for your quick response to my questions. My understanding of Wyoming law is that the State Legislature has complete Preemption over all Firearm laws through-out the state except Indian and Federal Grounds. How can a municipality regulate a mode of firearm carry when the state has statutory preemption? If arrested for violating a municipal ordinance that legally could not be enacted, I cannot see that being enforceable.
WY AGs office: Patrick,
The State of Wyoming is an "open carry" state as it relates to firearms. However, the cities in Wyoming have a legal dominance of what is called "home rule". Home rule simply means that the elected Mayors and City Councils have been given the authority to govern their cities in the manner that they see fit, that also includes having the authority to adopt ordinances that are more restrictive than state statute. Cities can adopt ordinances that are more restrictive, but not less restrictive. Therefore, most all the cities in Wyoming restrict the open carry of firearms, by ordinance, within their jurisdiction. Persons who violate the ordinance can be arrested on the spot.
Forrest C. Bright
Director
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations
316 W. 22nd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0150
Office: 307-777-7181