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Committee advances firearms code overhaul to conform with state law after tense debate over schools language
Summary
The Cheyenne Public Services Committee recommended approval on second reading of amendments to the city’s weapons code to align local law with state statute and federal requirements, while members requested clarifying amendments on school-related language.
The Public Services Committee recommended approval on second reading of an ordinance amending multiple sections of Chapter 9.24 (Weapons) to conform city law with Wyoming statute and to avoid duplication with federal law. Council sponsor Mark Moody outlined the changes and said the draft removes provisions that conflict with state law and federal dealer requirements.
Major changes explained by Moody include excluding firearm discharge where statutorily permitted (citing Wyoming statute "6-2-602"), adjusting school-property restrictions to reflect state changes in permit/carry law, removing a municipal requirement to retain sale records that the speaker said would conflict with Wyoming’s Second Amendment Protection Act, and clarifying language about manufacturing or possessing firearms without a manufacturer’s identification mark.
The most contested passage was an edit to section 9.24.009 concerning carrying deadly weapons on school property. The draft added a clause stating that for that subsection "deadly weapon shall not include a firearm," which several committee members and the mayor said raises concerns about whether the city is diminishing the classification of firearms in school settings. Deputy City Attorney David Hopkinson and City Attorney John Brody explained the change was intended to carve out firearms from that specific subsection to avoid conflicting with state law (House Bill 174/Alice Bill references discussed by speakers) while leaving other deadly-weapon provisions covering knives, incendiary devices and similar items.
Several council members said the phrasing could create unintended readings and asked staff to draft clarifying amendments; Mayor Collins and others suggested language tying the carve-out to state statute definitions or explicit exceptions for licensed concealed carry under state law. Council members also debated whether municipal language about manufacturer marks or recordkeeping would conflict with federal requirements for Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers. Moody and staff said the revisions aim to reflect that Wyoming allows private manufacture from kits but that removing serial numbers remains illegal under state and federal law.
Public safety staff (Captain David James) and council members highlighted the need to retain local tools to address knives and other non-firearm weapons on school property; school resource officer practice and school-discipline procedures were discussed. After debate the committee voted to recommend approval on second reading; at least one member recorded a no vote (Doctor Remonds) and one member stated they would not support the measure until language is clarified. Sponsors and the city attorney’s office said they will return with targeted amendments to resolve drafting concerns prior to final reading.
