The Laramie County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees discussed a proposed concealed-carry policy (policy CKA) and invited local law enforcement to brief the board on operational and legal implications during its Aug. 11 meeting. The district will hold public town-hall meetings and continue consultations before finalizing implementing rules.

The discussion matters because the policy must align with state law while addressing school safety, staff training and liability concerns. Board members and deputies highlighted specific language choices and practical steps—such as clarifying when a weapon constitutes an immediate versus an imminent threat and advising on holster selection—that could affect how the policy operates in schools.

Justin, a district administrator who introduced the draft, said the policy is intended "to give everybody just a quick understanding of what the state what state laws there are out there that govern this" and to explain differences such as "constitutional carry and Wyoming concealed carry permit." He asked the board whether particular terms in the draft were preferable and invited deputies to respond.

Corporal Smith of the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, who the board identified as "in charge of the school resource deputy program," and other deputies reviewed legal and operational issues. Smith cautioned about wording around threat definitions: to be "imminent, it's gotta be two of those three"—"ability, opportunity and intent"—and asked whether the policy should focus on "immediate threat" language instead. "I think we have a good policy here that is really just a restatement of law. Let's set the law," the corporal told the board when describing the deputies' view of the draft.

Deputies also described how enforcement outcomes will vary by circumstance. As one deputy summarized, consequences could range "from something administrative" to misdemeanor or felony charges depending on whether a weapon was drawn or used; each case would be evaluated individually. Deputies said they welcome reports from school staff and spectators at events and will respond if warranted.

Board members pressed on practical safety measures. Trustee Wilson said her concern centers on staff carrying routinely: "…maybe not the first month, the second month because, oh, I'm wearing this. Now I'm aware of it. Let's go toward the end of the year. I've been wearing it all the time. There's been no problems." She questioned whether the district has adequate guidance on holster quality, carry position and training to reduce accidental discharges or other incidents involving students.

Trustee Matt and others suggested the district lean on local law enforcement for technical guidance. Matt noted his agency restricts certain firearms and holsters and suggested the board could direct staff to consult deputies or the sheriff's office about acceptable holsters, calibers and carry positions rather than invent technical requirements internally.

Board members also discussed liability and statewide developments. Trustees noted the topic has been widely discussed across Wyoming and that statutory change at the state level could alter local options. Justin cautioned the board that the district's options are limited by statute: "What we can do is limited in scope based on statute," he said, adding that the district may revisit rules in a few months.

The board did not adopt final rules at the meeting. Instead trustees directed staff to continue consulting with Laramie County deputies and Pine Bluffs police, to include the proposed policy in upcoming town-hall meetings for public feedback, and to revisit the policy in several months as additional information (and any state-level changes) become available.

The discussion included several concrete operational suggestions: clarifying whether the policy should reference "immediate" versus "imminent" threat standards (ability, opportunity, intent); exploring biometric firearm storage or other custody options for on-site storage; and using law enforcement to advise on acceptable holsters, training frequency and carry positions. Deputies recommended annual training and emphasized a case-by-case approach to enforcement.

Next steps: the administration will present the draft policy at the district’s advertised town-hall meetings this month, collect stakeholder feedback and return to the board for further consideration. If the state makes statutory changes in the interim, the board indicated it would re-evaluate the draft.

Ending: The board framed the item as an evolving policy issue rather than a finished rule. Trustees said they want to balance statutory constraints, law-enforcement advice and community feedback before taking formal action.