CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A bill that could have repealed gun-free zones in Wyoming was struck down by the Wyoming Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
SF 88 would have repealed gun-free zones and allowed anyone lawfully carrying a concealed weapon into any government meeting, legislative meetings, school athletic events, public elementary or secondary schools and colleges. Four senators, including Sen. Anthony Bouchard, and 10 representatives, including Natrona County Rep. Chuck Gray, co-sponsored the bill.
Bouchard described the bill as “common sense” and quite popular.
“I want everyone to think about something: What if you buy a car, any car you want, but you would only keep it in the garage?” Bouchard said. “This is comparable to what we’re talking about here. We’ve seen that recent case in Texas where good people with firearms stopped a bloodthirsty killer.”
The senator told his audience that he thought it would be important to send a message to other states and be a leader in the United States by allowing lawfully-carrying citizens to carry wherever they would like.
“I think this is good for the citizens of Wyoming,” Bouchard said.
It was a contentious vote, nearly splitting the Senate in half. Sixteen senators voted “aye” on the bill, while 13 voted “no,” including all four Natrona County senators.
