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Casper to amend council "gun‑free" rules after state concealed‑carry law; staff to draft screening policy
Summary
Council directed staff to prepare ordinance and resolution amendments after the state’s House Bill 172 narrows local authority to bar lawfully concealed firearms; councilors also asked staff and police to draft screening and facility policies that balance statutory rights with public safety.
City Attorney Eric told the Casper City Council that House Bill 172, which takes effect July 1, expands where lawfully concealed firearms may be carried and will likely preempt the city’s current ban on firearms at city meetings, prompting council direction to staff to prepare changes to local rules.
"By way of background, on July first of this year, House Bill 172 will become effective," Eric said. He described the statute (identified in the packet as Wyoming statute 6‑8‑105) as allowing people who are lawfully carrying concealed weapons to bring them into meetings of public entities and many public buildings, subject to statutory exceptions. Eric told council that the city’s ordinance 9.44.0.02, which broadly prohibits deadly weapons at city meetings, would be preempted as to lawfully concealed firearms and recommended an amendment to carve out lawfully concealed firearms as defined by state law.
Council members and staff…
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