Home Gun Laws Wyoming

Wyoming Gun Laws

Wyoming allows any U.S. resident who is at least 21 years old (or 18 with qualifying military service) and otherwise eligible for a concealed-firearm permit to carry a handgun concealed without a permit, a status first established by 2011 SF 47 for Wyoming residents and expanded to nonresident U.S. residents by 2021 HB 116. Open carry by non-prohibited adults remains permitless statewide as it has been for decades. Wyoming still issues an optional five-year Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) through the Attorney General's Division of Criminal Investigation, and a 2025 'Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act' (HB 172) substantially expanded where CFP holders may carry. Wyoming preempts local firearm regulation, has no state assault-weapon ban or magazine limit, no firearm registry, and no red-flag law.

Sourced from official state legislature, AG, and ATF documents. Last verified June 6, 2026.

At a glance

Carry permit regime
Permitless
Open carry
Permitless
Permitless carry
Yes (since Jul 2011)
Permit minimum age
18
Castle doctrine
Stand your ground
Universal background check
Red flag / ERPO law
Assault weapon ban
Magazine capacity limit
No limit
Firearm registration
State preemption
Handgun purchase age
21
Long gun purchase age
18
Duty to disclose to police

In a vehicle

Loaded handgun (without permit)
Permitless
Loaded in glove box
Loaded in center console
Loaded in trunk
Rental car — same rules
Employer parking-lot protection

Common questions

Do I need a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Wyoming?

No. Any U.S. resident who is at least 21 (or 18 with qualifying U.S. military service) and meets the underlying eligibility criteria for a Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit may carry concealed without a permit. Wyoming first enacted permitless carry for residents in 2011 (SF 47) and expanded it to all U.S. residents in 2021 (HB 116).

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Can I open carry in Wyoming without a permit?

Yes. Wyoming has no statute regulating the open carry of firearms by non-prohibited adults. Open carry is permitless statewide as a matter of long-standing practice. Only concealed carry is regulated under W.S. 6-8-104, and even that allows permitless carry by eligible adults.

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Can I keep a loaded handgun in my glove box, console, or trunk without a permit?

Yes. Wyoming has no statute restricting where in a motor vehicle a firearm may be placed, and the permitless-carry exception in W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) lets any non-prohibited U.S. resident carry concealed without a permit. Rental vehicles are not treated differently.

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What does a Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit get me that permitless carry doesn't?

Reciprocity in other states that recognize Wyoming's CFP, and expanded in-state carry locations after the 2025 Repeal Gun Free Zones Act — including public K-12 schools, public colleges and universities, and public athletic events on public property without alcohol sales. The CFP is issued by the Wyoming AG's DCI, costs $50, is valid for five years, and requires applicants to be at least 18.

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Can I carry on K-12 school grounds in Wyoming?

After the 2025 Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, a Wyoming CFP holder may carry concealed into a public elementary or secondary school facility under W.S. 6-8-105(c)(ii), subject to any school-district rules adopted under W.S. 6-8-105(f). Students enrolled at any elementary or secondary school are still prohibited from carrying into a school facility under W.S. 6-8-104(t)(ix).

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Can I carry concealed in a Wyoming courtroom or jail?

No. W.S. 6-8-104(t) makes it unlawful to carry a concealed firearm into any courtroom (except as a judge or as the judge directs), any detention facility, prison, or jail, or any facility used primarily for law-enforcement operations without the chief administrator's written consent.

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Is Wyoming a stand-your-ground state?

Yes. W.S. 6-2-602 imposes no duty to retreat for a person attacked in any place where the person is lawfully present, provided the person is not the initial aggressor and is not engaged in illegal activity. Wyoming also codifies a castle-doctrine presumption of reasonable fear when an intruder unlawfully and forcibly enters a home or habitation.

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Can my employer ban guns in their parking lot in Wyoming?

Yes. Wyoming has no employee-parking-lot firearm-storage protection statute, so private employers may set their own rules about firearm storage in employee vehicles parked on employer property. There is no Wyoming 'guns-in-trunks' law equivalent.

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Do I have to tell police I'm carrying during a traffic stop in Wyoming?

No. Wyoming has no general statutory duty to proactively inform an officer that you are armed. A CFP holder must display the permit and valid identification 'upon request' of any peace officer under W.S. 6-8-104(b); a person carrying under the permitless exception has no display requirement.

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Are silencers and short-barreled rifles legal in Wyoming?

Yes. Wyoming does not prohibit suppressors, short-barreled rifles, or short-barreled shotguns at the state level. They are regulated by the federal National Firearms Act (NFA), which requires ATF registration and a transfer tax. Machine guns are likewise federally regulated.

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Do I have to register my gun in Wyoming?

No. Wyoming has no firearm registry and no registration requirement. The state preempts local registration efforts, and the 2024 Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act further bars use of merchant category codes to create de facto registries.

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Does Wyoming have a red flag (extreme risk protection order) law?

No. Wyoming has not enacted a red flag / extreme-risk-protection-order law. To the contrary, Wyoming's 'Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act' (W.S. 9-14-301 to -303) bars state agencies and local governments from implementing or enforcing any federal or state red-flag-style firearm-seizure order against a Wyoming resident.

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How old do I have to be to buy a handgun in Wyoming?

Federal law requires you to be 21 to buy a handgun from a federally licensed dealer and 18 for long guns. Wyoming does not impose an additional state-level purchase-age requirement beyond federal law; private in-state transfers between unlicensed individuals are not bound by the federal FFL minimums.

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Does Wyoming honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?

Yes — broadly. Under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iii) Wyoming honors any facially valid statewide concealed-firearm permit from another state. The Wyoming DCI publishes a working list of 35 states whose permits Wyoming honors. Wyoming residents and any other U.S. resident may also carry under the permitless-carry exception without using a permit.

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Does Wyoming require background checks for private gun sales?

No. Wyoming does not require a background check for private, in-state firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals. Federally licensed dealers in Wyoming run NICS through the FBI directly.

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Can I carry concealed in a Wyoming bar or restaurant that serves alcohol?

It depends on the layout. W.S. 6-8-104(t)(vii) bars concealed carry into any portion of an alcohol-licensed establishment that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcohol for on-premises consumption. A restaurant area that primarily serves food, even if it also serves alcohol, is generally not within that prohibition; bars and bar areas are. Private property owners can also restrict firearms on their property under W.S. 6-8-105(d)(ii).

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Permitless / Constitutional Carry

Wyoming's concealed-deadly-weapon offense statute excepts a person who does not hold a Wyoming-issued permit but 'is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful.' Combined with the permit eligibility criteria, this means any non-prohibited U.S. resident aged 21 or older (or 18 with qualifying military service via 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) eligibility) may carry concealed without a permit.

"The person does not possess a permit issued under this section, but is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful."

W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) statute

Wyoming first enacted permitless concealed carry through 2011 SF 47, which added W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) authorizing a non-permit holder who met the underlying CFP eligibility criteria (then including Wyoming residency) to carry concealed. Effective July 1, 2011.

"AN ACT relating to concealed weapons; authorizing the carrying of concealed weapons by persons without a concealed weapon permit as specified... Section 2. This act is effective July 1, 2011."

2011 Wyoming Senate File SF 47, Enrolled Act No. 70, Senate (61st Legislature, 2011 General Session) statute

2021 HB 116 amended W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) to remove the Wyoming-residency requirement from the permitless-carry exception, expanding eligibility to any U.S. resident who otherwise meets the statutory criteria. Effective July 1, 2021.

"AN ACT relating to concealed weapons; removing the state residency requirement for a person carrying a concealed firearm without a permit who meets the other statutory criteria; and providing for an effective date... Section 2. This act is effective July 1, 2021."

2021 Wyoming House Bill HB 116, Enrolled Act No. 70, House of Representatives (66th Legislature, 2021 General Session) statute

Concealed Carry Permit

The Wyoming Attorney General, through the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), issues Concealed Firearm Permits (CFPs) valid statewide for five (5) years to applicants who are U.S. residents, have been Wyoming residents for at least six months (unless they hold a recognized out-of-state permit), are at least 18 years of age, are not federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), are not chronically dependent on alcohol or controlled substances, demonstrate familiarity with a firearm, and have not been adjudicated incompetent or committed to a mental institution.

"The attorney general is authorized to issue permits to carry a concealed firearm to persons qualified as provided by this subsection... The permit shall be valid throughout the state for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance."

W.S. 6-8-104(b) statute

The nonrefundable Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit application fee is fifty dollars ($50.00) for an initial permit and fifty dollars ($50.00) for renewal; a five dollar ($5.00) fee applies for a duplicate replacing a lost or destroyed permit.

"A nonrefundable permit fee of fifty dollars ($50.00), if he has not previously been issued a statewide permit, or a nonrefundable permit fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for renewal of a permit."

W.S. 6-8-104(e)(ii) statute

Wyoming does not set a fixed number of training hours for the CFP. An applicant may satisfy the familiarity-with-a-firearm requirement through any one of six listed activities: a certified firearm safety or training course, a law-enforcement firearms course, organized handgun-shooting competition or military service experience, an NRA-certified or state-certified instructor's course, certification of proficiency by a Wyoming law-enforcement agency, or honorable retirement as a federal or state peace officer with at least 10 years of service.

"Demonstrates familiarity with a firearm... Any one (1) of the following activities listed in this paragraph shall be sufficient to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm."

W.S. 6-8-104(b)(vii) statute

The Division of Criminal Investigation within the Wyoming Attorney General's Office administers the Concealed Firearm Permit, distributes the application through county sheriffs, and publishes the reciprocity list of state permits Wyoming honors. Applicants apply through the sheriff's office in their county of residence.

"Concealed Firearm Permits"

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation — Concealed Firearm Permits ag

The federal prohibited-persons statute, cross-referenced in Wyoming's Concealed Firearm Permit eligibility criteria and permitless-carry exception, makes it unlawful for nine categories of persons to ship, transport, possess, or receive any firearm or ammunition. The categories include felons (those convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year), fugitives from justice, unlawful users of or persons addicted to controlled substances, persons adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, illegal aliens and certain nonimmigrant aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship, persons subject to certain domestic-violence restraining orders, and persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

"It shall be unlawful for any person— (1) who has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year... to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce."

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) statute

Open Carry

Wyoming's only carry-restriction statute reaches concealed deadly weapons, not openly carried firearms. Open carry of a firearm by any non-prohibited adult is lawful statewide without a permit; the long-standing default has not been disturbed by recent legislation.

"A person who wears or carries a concealed deadly weapon is guilty of a misdemeanor..."

W.S. 6-8-104(a) (no statute prohibiting open carry) statute

Vehicle Carry

Wyoming has no statute restricting the location of a firearm within a motor vehicle. Any non-prohibited U.S. resident may carry a loaded handgun concealed or in the open within a vehicle — in the glove box, center console, on the seat, or in the trunk — without a permit. Open carry is unrestricted; concealed carry within the vehicle by an eligible adult is authorized through the permitless-carry exception in W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv). Rental vehicles are not treated differently.

"The person does not possess a permit issued under this section, but is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful."

W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) and W.S. 6-8-104(a) statute

Employer Parking-Lot Protection

Wyoming has not enacted a statute prohibiting employers from banning firearm storage in employee vehicles parked in employer parking areas. There is no 'guns-in-trunks' protection in Title 6, Chapter 8 or in the labor statutes. Private employers may set firearm policies for their property, including parking areas, subject to general property and employment law.

"No statutory protection for employee firearm storage in vehicles is enacted in Wyoming."

Wyoming Statutes — no employer-parking-lot firearm-storage protection statute

Reciprocity

Wyoming statutorily recognizes any other state's facially valid statewide concealed-firearm permit. The DCI publishes a reciprocity list identifying 35 states whose permits Wyoming honors and whose permits also recognize the Wyoming CFP, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

"The person holds a valid permit authorizing him to carry a concealed firearm authorized and issued by a governmental agency or entity in another state that recognizes Wyoming permits and is a valid statewide permit."

W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iii) statute

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation publishes the working reciprocity list of states whose concealed firearm permits Wyoming honors. The current list identifies 35 states.

"Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin."

Wyoming DCI — Concealed Firearm Permits (reciprocity list) ag

Castle Doctrine

Wyoming codifies a castle-doctrine presumption: a person using defensive force, including deadly force, is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury when the intruder was unlawfully and forcibly entering or had entered the defender's home or habitation, or was attempting to remove someone against their will from the home. A separate presumption attributes intent to commit a forcible unlawful act to any intruder who enters by force.

"A person is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury to himself or another when using defensive force, including deadly force if: (i) The intruder against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, another's home or habitation."

W.S. 6-2-602(b) and (d) statute

Stand Your Ground

Wyoming is a stand-your-ground state: a person attacked in any place where the person is lawfully present has no duty to retreat before using reasonable defensive force, provided the person is not the initial aggressor and is not engaged in illegal activity. A person who uses reasonable defensive force shall not be criminally prosecuted for that use of force.

"A person who is attacked in any place where the person is lawfully present shall not have a duty to retreat before using reasonable defensive force pursuant to subsection (a) of this section provided that he is not the initial aggressor and is not engaged in illegal activity."

W.S. 6-2-602(e) and (f) statute

Duty to Disclose

Wyoming law does not impose a general duty to proactively inform a law-enforcement officer that you are armed. A person who holds a Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit must carry the permit and valid identification, and must display both 'upon request of any peace officer.' A person carrying without a permit under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) has no such display requirement and no statutory duty to disclose.

"The permittee shall carry the permit, together with valid identification at all times when the permittee is carrying a concealed firearm and shall display both the permit and proper identification upon request of any peace officer."

W.S. 6-8-104(b) (permit display-on-demand by permit holders only) statute

Prohibited Places

After the 2025 Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, W.S. 6-8-104(t) bars persons authorized to carry concealed under paragraphs (a)(ii) through (iv) from carrying a concealed firearm into: (i) a facility used primarily for law-enforcement operations or administration (without the chief administrator's written consent); (ii) any detention facility, prison, or jail; (iii) a courtroom (judges may carry or determine who carries); (vii) the portion of an alcohol-licensed establishment that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcohol for on-premises consumption; (ix) an elementary or secondary school facility if the person is a student enrolled at any elementary or secondary school; and (xi) any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law or regulation or state law.

"No person authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to paragraphs (a)(ii) through (iv) of this section shall carry a concealed firearm into: (i) Any facility used primarily for law enforcement operations or administration without the written consent of the chief administrator; (ii) Any detention facility, prison or jail; (iii) Any courtroom..."

W.S. 6-8-104(t) statute

The 'Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act,' enacted as 2025 HB 172 (Enrolled Act 24, House) and effective July 1, 2025, authorizes persons lawfully carrying concealed under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(ii)-(iv) to carry into any meeting of a governmental entity, any meeting of the legislature or its committees, any public airport area where carrying is not prohibited under federal law, and any public building not otherwise prohibited under W.S. 6-8-104(t). It additionally authorizes Wyoming CFP holders (paragraph (a)(ii)) to carry into public school, college, or university athletic events on public property without alcohol sales; any public elementary or secondary school facility; and any public college or university facility. Knowingly prohibiting entry to a lawfully armed person at such locations is a misdemeanor.

"Persons lawfully carrying concealed weapons in Wyoming under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(ii) through (iv) may carry a concealed weapon in the following places: (i) Any meeting of a governmental entity; (ii) Any meeting of the legislature or a committee thereof; (iii) Any public airport in areas of the airport where the carrying of concealed weapons is not prohibited or restricted under federal law or federal regulation; (iv) Any public building not otherwise prohibited under W.S. 6-8-104(t) or regulated under this section."

W.S. 6-8-105 (Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act) statute

HB 172 (2025), enacted as the 'Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act,' created W.S. 6-8-105 and repealed the former W.S. 6-8-104(t)(iv), (v), (vi), and (x), among other amendments. Effective July 1, 2025. Schools districts may set training and storage rules for employees and volunteers carrying on school property under W.S. 6-8-105(f), with an initial-training framework of 16 hours of live-fire handgun training plus 8 hours of scenario-based training and 12 hours of annual recurrent training when rules are adopted.

"AN ACT relating to concealed weapons; repealing gun free zones; providing for the carrying of concealed weapons as specified; creating a criminal offense for prohibiting entry to a person carrying a concealed weapon as specified... Section 5. This act is effective July 1, 2025."

2025 Wyoming House Bill HB 172, Enrolled Act No. 24, House (68th Legislature, 2025 General Session) statute

The federal firearms-in-federal-facilities statute, picked up by Wyoming's W.S. 6-8-104(t)(xi) catch-all, makes it a federal crime to knowingly possess or attempt to possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a federal facility (other than a federal court facility). Enhanced penalties apply for possession in a federal court facility or with intent that the firearm be used in the commission of a crime. Exceptions cover law-enforcement officers and weapons possessed for hunting or other lawful purposes incidental to the federal facility's use.

"Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both."

18 U.S.C. § 930 statute

Background Checks

Wyoming does not require a state-level background check for any firearm sale. Federally licensed dealers in Wyoming run the federally required NICS check through the FBI directly (Wyoming is not a point-of-contact state for NICS). State law does not require a background check for private, in-state transfers between non-prohibited individuals.

"No Wyoming statute imposes a universal background check requirement on private firearm transfers."

Wyoming Statutes — no state universal-background-check requirement statute

Minimum Purchase Age

Federal law restricts handgun sales by federally licensed dealers (FFLs) to buyers 21 or older and long-gun sales by FFLs to buyers 18 or older. Wyoming imposes no additional state-level purchase-age beyond federal law; private in-state transfers between unlicensed individuals are not bound by the federal FFL minimums but the federal age to possess a handgun is generally 18.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal) atf

For firearms manufactured and retained exclusively within Wyoming under the Firearms Freedom Act, state law sets a state-level purchase age of 21 for handguns and 18 for shotguns and rifles, mirroring the federal minimums applied to FFL sales.

"To purchase a firearm covered by this section a person shall: (i) Be at least: (A) Twenty-one (21) years of age if the firearm is a handgun; (B) Eighteen (18) years of age if the firearm is a shotgun or rifle."

W.S. 6-8-404(d) (Firearms Freedom Act purchase-age provision) statute

Firearm Registration

Wyoming does not maintain or require firearm registration. The preemption statute W.S. 6-8-401(c) reserves firearm regulation, including registration, to the state legislature. The 2024 Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act (W.S. 9-14-401 to -404) further prohibits any state agency, local government, or merchant servicer from keeping a list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or their owners created or maintained through use of a firearms merchant-category code.

"No state governmental agency or local government, special district or other political subdivision or official, agent or employee of the state or other governmental entity or any other person, public or private, shall knowingly or willfully keep or cause to be kept any list, record or registry of privately owned firearms."

W.S. 6-8-401 (preemption) and W.S. 9-14-403 (Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act) statute

Red Flag / ERPO

Wyoming has not enacted any extreme risk protection order (red flag) law. The Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act prohibits the state and any political subdivision from implementing or enforcing any federal or state red-flag-style firearm-seizure order against a Wyoming resident (subject to enumerated existing prohibited-person categories), preempts conflicting local ordinances, authorizes civil actions with damages up to $50,000 per violation, and makes a knowing violation by a public officer a misdemeanor.

"The state of Wyoming, including any agency or any political subdivision in the state, shall be prohibited from implementing or enforcing any federal statute, rule, executive order, judicial order or judicial findings or any state statute, rule, executive order, judicial order or judicial findings that would enforce a red flag gun seizure order against or upon a resident of Wyoming."

W.S. 9-14-301 to 9-14-303 (Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act) statute

Wyoming's Second Amendment Protection Act, codified at W.S. 9-14-201 through 9-14-203, declares the State's intent under the Second and Tenth Amendments and Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898 (1997), to refuse state and local enforcement of certain federal firearm regulations. W.S. 9-14-201 supplies the short title; W.S. 9-14-202 declares the constitutional authority and ties enforcement findings to W.S. 6-8-406; W.S. 9-14-203 prohibits state and local enforcement of certain federal firearm, firearm-accessory, and magazine regulations. This Article is separate from the Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act at W.S. 9-14-301 through 9-14-303 and from the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act at W.S. 9-14-401 through 9-14-404.

"This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Second Amendment Protection Act.'"

W.S. 9-14-201 (Second Amendment Protection Act — short title) statute

Assault Weapon Ban

Wyoming does not impose any assault-weapons ban or feature-based restriction on rifles or other firearms. The preemption statute reserves firearm regulation to the legislature, barring counties, cities, and political subdivisions from adopting feature-based bans.

"The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the legislature of the state of Wyoming."

W.S. 6-8-401 (preemption); no assault-weapons ban statute statute

Magazine Capacity

Wyoming imposes no limit on magazine capacity for any firearm. The preemption statute bars local governments from imposing one.

"Except as authorized by W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xviii) and 23-1-302, no state agency, city, town, county, political subdivision or any other entity shall authorize, regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use, carrying or possession of firearms, weapons, accessories, components or ammunition except as specifically provided by this chapter."

W.S. 6-8-401 (preemption); no capacity statute statute

NFA Items

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act, which imposes registration and transfer-tax requirements. Wyoming does not impose any state-level prohibition on suppressors, SBRs, or SBSs and treats machine guns the same way as the federal NFA framework.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Wyoming's Firearms Freedom Act declares that personal firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition manufactured commercially or privately in Wyoming and remaining exclusively within the state are, by Wyoming's view, not subject to federal regulation under the Commerce Clause. Items covered must be marked 'made in Wyoming.' The federal enforceability of the Act's nonenforcement provisions has been doubted by courts (see Montana FFA cases), but the state framework remains in statute.

"A personal firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Wyoming and that remains exclusively within the borders of Wyoming is not subject to federal law, federal taxation or federal regulation, including registration."

W.S. 6-8-402 through 6-8-406 (Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act) statute

State Preemption

Wyoming preempts the field of firearm, weapon, accessory, component, and ammunition regulation. No state agency, city, town, county, political subdivision, or any other entity may authorize, regulate, or prohibit the sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use, carrying, or possession of firearms, weapons, accessories, components, or ammunition except as specifically provided by Chapter 8 of Title 6.

"The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the legislature of the state of Wyoming."

W.S. 6-8-401 statute

Wyoming's preemption statute W.S. 6-8-401(c) expressly preserves municipal authority under W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xviii) as an exception to firearm-regulation preemption. That paragraph empowers the governing bodies of cities and towns to 'regulate, prevent or suppress riots, disturbances, disorderly assemblies or parades, or any other conduct which disturbs or jeopardizes the public health, safety, peace or morality, in any public or private place.' Municipalities may rely on this general police-power grant to address conduct in public places but may not use it to enact firearm-specific regulations.

"Regulate, prevent or suppress riots, disturbances, disorderly assemblies or parades, or any other conduct which disturbs or jeopardizes the public health, safety, peace or morality, in any public or private place."

W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xviii) statute

Wyoming's preemption statute W.S. 6-8-401(c) expressly preserves the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission's authority under W.S. 23-1-302 as an exception to firearm-regulation preemption. The Commission is empowered to fix seasons and bag limits and to designate the type of legal weapon that may be used for hunting any species of wildlife in any locality of Wyoming. The Commission may therefore restrict particular firearm types or calibers for hunting purposes without conflict with the state's general firearm-preemption rule.

"The commission is directed and empowered: (i) To fix season and bag limits, open, shorten or close seasons including providing for season extensions for hunters with disabilities as established by commission rules and regulation, on any species or sex of wildlife for any type of legal weapon..."

W.S. 23-1-302 statute

Recent Changes

Effective July 1, 2021, Wyoming removed the Wyoming-residency requirement from the permitless-carry statute, expanding eligibility to any U.S. resident otherwise meeting the underlying Concealed Firearm Permit criteria.

"Section 1. W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) is amended to read... The person does not possess a permit issued under this section, but is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful."

2021 Wyoming House Bill HB 116, Enrolled Act No. 70, House statute

Effective July 1, 2024, Wyoming enacted the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibiting state and local governments and merchant servicers from assigning or requiring a separate firearms-related merchant category code to Wyoming firearms retailers, and prohibiting maintenance of any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or their owners created through use of such a code. Codified at W.S. 9-14-401 to -404 (originally enacted as 9-14-301 to -304, later renumbered).

"AN ACT relating to the administration of government; prohibiting disclosure or use of protected information relating to firearms and ammunition sales as specified... Section 3. This act is effective July 1, 2024."

2024 Wyoming Senate File SF 105, Enrolled Act No. 38, Senate (Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act) statute

Effective July 1, 2025, Wyoming enacted the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act (W.S. 6-8-105). The act expressly authorizes concealed-carry by lawful carriers into government meetings, the legislature, certain public-airport areas, and many public buildings; allows Wyoming-CFP holders to carry into public K-12 schools, public college and university facilities, and public athletic events on public property without alcohol sales; repealed prior prohibited-place restrictions in W.S. 6-8-104(t)(iv), (v), (vi), and (x); and makes knowingly prohibiting lawful armed entry a misdemeanor.

"AN ACT relating to concealed weapons; repealing gun free zones; providing for the carrying of concealed weapons as specified; creating a criminal offense for prohibiting entry to a person carrying a concealed weapon as specified... Section 5. This act is effective July 1, 2025."

2025 Wyoming House Bill HB 172, Enrolled Act No. 24, House (Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act) statute

Recent law changes

Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act (2025 HB 172)

effective July 1, 2025

Wyoming HB 172 (Enrolled Act 24, House) created W.S. 6-8-105 and substantially expanded where concealed carry is authorized — including government meetings, the legislature, certain public airport areas, public K-12 schools (for CFP holders), public colleges and universities, and public athletic events on public property without alcohol sales — and repealed prior prohibited-place subsections at W.S. 6-8-104(t)(iv), (v), (vi), and (x).

2025 Wyoming House Bill HB 172, Enrolled Act No. 24, House

Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act (2024 SF 105)

effective July 1, 2024

Wyoming enacted the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibiting state and local governments and merchant servicers from assigning or requiring a separate firearms-related merchant category code to Wyoming firearms retailers, and barring any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or their owners created through such a code. Codified at W.S. 9-14-401 to -404.

2024 Wyoming Senate File SF 105, Enrolled Act No. 38, Senate

Permitless concealed carry expanded to all U.S. residents (2021 HB 116)

effective July 1, 2021

Wyoming HB 116 (Enrolled Act 70, House) amended W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) to delete the Wyoming-residency requirement, expanding permitless-carry eligibility to any U.S. resident who meets the underlying CFP eligibility criteria.

2021 Wyoming House Bill HB 116, Enrolled Act No. 70, House

Permitless concealed carry enacted for Wyoming residents (2011 SF 47)

effective July 1, 2011

Wyoming SF 47 (Enrolled Act 70, Senate) added W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) authorizing eligible Wyoming residents who would otherwise qualify for a Concealed Firearm Permit to carry concealed without a permit.

2011 Wyoming Senate File SF 47, Enrolled Act No. 70, Senate

Where carry is prohibited

Law Enforcement Facility

A person authorized to carry concealed under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(ii)-(iv) may not carry a concealed firearm into any facility used primarily for law-enforcement operations or administration without the chief administrator's written consent.

W.S. 6-8-104(t)(i)

Detention Facility

Carrying a concealed firearm into any detention facility, prison, or jail is prohibited.

W.S. 6-8-104(t)(ii)

Courtroom

Carrying a concealed firearm into any courtroom is prohibited, except that a judge may carry and may determine who else may carry in the courtroom.

W.S. 6-8-104(t)(iii)

Bar

Carrying a concealed firearm into any portion of an alcohol-licensed establishment that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic liquor and malt beverages for on-premises consumption is prohibited.

W.S. 6-8-104(t)(vii)

School Facility By Student

A person enrolled as a student at any elementary or secondary school may not carry a concealed firearm into any elementary or secondary school facility. After the 2025 Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, non-student adult Wyoming-CFP holders may carry into a public K-12 facility under W.S. 6-8-105(c)(ii), subject to school-district rules under W.S. 6-8-105(f).

W.S. 6-8-104(t)(ix)

Federal Or State Law Prohibited

Carrying a concealed firearm into any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law or regulation, or by other state law, is prohibited. This catch-all picks up federal buildings, federal facilities under 18 U.S.C. § 930, secure airport areas, post offices, and similar federally restricted locations.

W.S. 6-8-104(t)(xi)

Posted Private Property

Private property owners may restrict firearms on their property; carrying in violation of a posted restriction is treated as trespass. Wyoming has no specific signage statute for firearm prohibitions on private property, but W.S. 6-8-105(d)(ii) preserves the property owner's right to restrict.

W.S. 6-8-105(d)(ii)

Reciprocity

Wyoming honors permits from

ALL

States that honor Wyoming's permit

AL AK AZ AR CO FL GA ID IN IA KS KY LA ME MI MS MO MT NE NV NH NM NC ND OH OK PA SC SD TN TX UT VA WV WI

Sources & methodology

Every fact on this page is paired with a citation to the underlying statute, attorney general guidance, court opinion, or ATF document. We do not rely on summaries from advocacy organizations as primary sources. Last verified June 6, 2026 against the official sources.

Legal disclaimer — please read

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. We are not attorneys and nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship. Gun laws are complex, change frequently, and are interpreted differently across jurisdictions and individual fact patterns.

Before relying on any information on this page — to carry a firearm, purchase a firearm, travel across state lines, or respond to a self-defense situation — you should:

  • Verify the current text of any cited statute directly with the official state legislature, attorney general, or state police website.
  • Check for amendments, pending litigation, or recent court rulings that may have changed the law since this page was last verified.
  • Consult a licensed attorney in Wyoming for advice on your specific situation.

The controlling document is the statute or court ruling, not this page. We make no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information, and we disclaim all liability for any reliance placed upon it.