Wyoming Gun Control Laws

The state of Wyoming offers residents and visitors relatively flexible gun carry and possession laws.  In fact, Wyoming not only issues residents permits to carry concealed weapons in the state, but also recognizes the concealed carry permits of twenty-two other states as well.   Age restrictions, as well as numerous location specific carry restriction do exist however.   Additionally, state laws only regulate firearms sale in accordance with the provisions set forth at the federal level.

Carrying Guns and Possession Laws: Penalties & Regulations

Criminal code in Wyoming mandates various penalties and regulations for unlawful possession and carry of firearms, including:

• Concealed carry without a permit is punishable as a misdemeanor with incarceration up to six months with fines of no more than $750.00.
• Carry of firearms is restricted in Wyoming at certain venues and events.  Carry of firearm at following venues is illegal in Wyoming, including:  courtrooms, public government buildings, college or school related athletic events, school zones unless approved by school officials, and venues where alcoholic beverage sale is the primary purpose of enterprise.
• Open carry is allowed in Wyoming, however, exercise caution and common sense, as criminal charges for criminal recklessness and endangerment have been filed previously in wanton cases.

Requirements: For Firearms Possession and Carry in the state of Wyoming

Wyoming Gun Purchasing Laws

Purchase of firearms is restricted in Wyoming on several levels.  First, there are federal regulations and mandates that must be adhered to, including record keeping on all sales and background checks.  Second, the state of Wyoming has issued legislation stating that no city, town, or municipality may attempt to regulate weapons purchase, possession, or sale in the state.  Therefore, only applicable federal and state laws apply, and in state of Wyoming, state law nearly mirrors federal law regarding weapons purchase and sale.

Penalties & Regulations for Illegal Purchases

Some purchase restrictions do apply in the state of Wyoming.  Individuals purchasing weapons, if legally not allowed to do so, may face criminal weapons possession charges.  Additionally sellers may also face federal and state charges for illegal weapons sale, if the appropriate regulations on sale were not adhered to.  Persons not allowed to purchase firearms in Wyoming , include:

• Habitual drunkards, drug addicts, or persons committed to mental health facilities for treatment of addiction conditions, or other mental health issues
• Convicted felons or persons previously convicted of harassment, stalking, or domestic violence charges
• Minors
• Has passed some form of familiarity of use examination in accordance with the rather liberal laws regarding safety, use, and knowledge of firearms

Requirements: For Purchase of Firearms in state of Wyoming

Firing Handguns and Self Defense in Wyoming

Discharging a firearm from a vehicle, on a roadway, or across a public area is illegal in Wyoming.  Given the nature of hunting in Wyoming, many discharge and firing laws surround one’s ability to fire weapons inside national or state parks during hunting.  Discharge of handguns at humans, however, is another matter.  These charges are always felonies, which typically entail some form of weapons charge alongside assault with deadly weapon or attempted murder charges.  Use of firearms for self-defense, however, is always permitted in Wyoming, if the circumstances warrant the use of deadly force.  Typically, deadly force can be used to meet deadly force, so long as not by an person with the official and legal capacity to do so, in the state of Wyoming.

Legal Help

Though the state of Wyoming offers some of the most lenient gun laws in the country, criminal penalties and regulations still do exist.  Violations can result in criminal charges, which if convicted, can place individuals under incarceration or imprisonment.  In even light of relatively lenient sentencing penalties for gun possession charges, individuals will face a criminal record and all the associated fallout from this conviction, which may prohibit their ability to bear arms indefinitely into the future.  Additionally, most states possess enhance penalties laws for offenders that are charged with a second or subsequent offense.  Seeking counsel and potentially representation from an experienced attorney is your best strategy for mitigating the consequences of a gun charge, or possibly obtaining a dismissal.  Common gun charges defended by legal counsel include:

• Felon, or violent criminal, in possession of a firearm
• Use of firearm during commission other crimes
• Carrying firearm without concealed carrier permit