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Cheyenne council narrows city firearms rules to conform with state law; amendment on records fails
Summary
The Cheyenne City Council adopted a substitute ordinance to revise Chapter 9.24 (weapons) to conform city code with Wyoming preemption and state concealed-carry changes; an amendment to restore a record-keeping provision failed and the substitute passed on second reading with one councilmember voting no.
The Cheyenne City Council on second reading approved an amended ordinance rewriting Chapter 9.24 of the municipal code to align city weapons rules with Wyoming law and avoid duplication with federal rules.
The substitute ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Moody and seconded by Doctor Aldridge, removes provisions the council said conflicted with state preemption and clarifies the municipal code after recent legislative changes, including references to House Bill 172. Supporters said the changes help avoid lawsuits and make enforcement clearer for officers.
National Gun Hunters of America director Mark Jones told the council the state’s preemption prevents municipalities from regulating firearms in ways not authorized by the legislature: “Cities and municipalities, counties cannot have laws not authorized by the legislature.” Alan Sheldon and other residents also spoke in favor of cleaning up local code language.
Councilmember Emmons proposed an amendment to restore section 9.24.012 concerning records held by licensed manufacturers or dealers. Emmons said the language “does not interfere with the purchase, the delivery, the transfer, or the sale of a firearm” and “all this does is to continue to make sure that a licensed manufacturer or dealer has record of where those firearms are sold.” The amendment was moved, seconded, and put to a vote; it failed. The substitute ordinance then passed on second reading as amended, with Doctor Emmons recorded as voting no.
The debate repeatedly referenced Wyoming statutes, including citations read into the record (6-8-104; 6-8-105; 6-8-401) and House Bill 172. Several council members and members of the public said routine federal forms such as the FFL were the prevailing documentation used for commercial firearm transfers.
Next steps: the council advanced the ordinance through second reading with the substitute language in place. Further readings or final adoption language and any implementing administrative rules will be acted on at subsequent meetings.
