BigGameHoundsmen.com

By BEN NEARY, Associated Press Writer
Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:42 PM MST
CHEYENNE— Wyoming citizens could carry concealed handguns without needing a state permit under a bill that passed its first committee on Tuesday.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 6-2 to recommend approval of House Bill 113 after a testimony from pro-gun groups and other supporters.

“I bring the bill here today because I do believe it is our right not only under the United States Constitution, but under the Wyoming Constitution,” sponsor Rep. Elaine Quarberg, R-Thermopolis, told the panel.

The state would keep its existing concealed carry permit system even if her bill passes, Quarberg said. Wyoming residents who have state permits may carry concealed guns in other states that have reciprocity with Wyoming. The permits also serve as a substitute for federal background checks on gun purchases.

The Judiciary Committee amended Quarberg’s bill to specify that people who are mentally incompetent or who have been committed to mental institutions wouldn’t be allowed to carry concealed guns.

Rep. Joe Barbuto, D-Rock Springs, voted against the bill.

“I’m a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights,” Barbuto said. “I don’t think anybody around this table could accuse me of being a bleeding heart liberal.”

However, Barbuto said he’s happy with the current permit system, which has law enforcement review permit applications.

“I don’t think we need to take away that accountability,” Barbuto said.

Rep. John Patton, R-Sheridan, cast the other vote against the bill. He said that despite being a gun-owner himself, he didn’t see how passing the bill would help with the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness in the state.

Anthony R. Bouchard, spokesman for the Wyoming Gun Owners Association, told the committee he wants to see the concealed carry bill move forward.

Bouchard said his group sees no need to require training for Wyoming citizens who would carry concealed guns. A lot of people in the state are ranchers who grew up with guns and handle them daily, he said.

States that have gun control have “50,000 gangbangers walking around carrying guns,” Bouchard said.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal told reporters at his regularly scheduled press conference on Tuesday that his opinion of Quarberg’s bill was “mixed.”

“If it gets to me, I’ll sure take a look at it.” Freudenthal said.

The Judiciary Committee also voted unanimously to recommend approval of House Bill 95. It would specify that guns that are manufactured and sold within Wyoming would be exempt from federal regulations. Montana passed such a law last year and similar legislation is pending in several other states

I don't think anyone is gonna pass concealed carry without a permit!

Brady Davis wrote:I don't think anyone is gonna pass concealed carry without a permit!

Brady Davis wrote:I don't think anyone is gonna pass concealed carry without a permit!

Actually, if it's ever going to happen it will be here in Wyoming........or Alaska. I love that this state has never bowed to political correctness, or outside influences.

I am happy AZ is one of those states with a bill on the move up repealing the feds gun laws on arms manufactured here and in a few other instances. it would be very nice to get those through before the anti's and current admin get their heads out and get in the way. our carry regs are fairly relaxed but could be better.

Bill Ziegler wrote:Actually, if it's ever going to happen it will be here in Wyoming

I gotta agree. Just proposing a bill like this shows what kind of people are still in Wyoming. After having to put up with all the tofu fairies in Boulder that seem to run this state, I keep asking myself why I moved back south.

Coyote wrote: After having to put up with all the tofu fairies in Boulder that seem to run this state, I keep asking myself why I moved back south.

LOL. I feel for you. Where were you before that move?

hey Bill LTNS! Hope all is well with you. Have you been running anything lately?

I am a huge advocate of CC. I carry myself. I just seriously doubt thatll get passed anywhere. That said, if they do, sweet then! I just wouldn't hold my breath

Brady Davis wrote:I am a huge advocate of CC. I carry myself. I just seriously doubt thatll get passed anywhere. That said, if they do, sweet then! I just wouldn't hold my breath

Why not? Anyone can carry in Vermont without a CCW permit. And Vermont is surrounded by the most liberal states on the east coast.

Hi Tessa. I've been running a few bobcat and the boar coon are on the prowl now so we've been keeping them on their toes. How 'bout you? Is your knee getting better?

Bill,

I need to have a date with Orthopedic surgeon here in the next couple months. We are still paying off my son's bills to him after he dislocated every bone in his wrist last May when he fell into the river in the canyon That was not a cheap hike up the canyon for sure... I have to say the Dayton Fire and Rescue did a great job getting in there and across the river to get him out of there...... Should have called them on a few occassions when the dogs got stuck over on the opposite side.

Glad to hear you are still getting those hounds out.

LOL, never thought of calling 911 for retrieving hounds but....why not!

Good luck on the medical stuff.

Rem700 wrote:

Brady Davis wrote:I am a huge advocate of CC. I carry myself. I just seriously doubt thatll get passed anywhere. That said, if they do, sweet then! I just wouldn't hold my breath

Why not? Anyone can carry in Vermont without a CCW permit. And Vermont is surrounded by the most liberal states on the east coast.

http://apps.carryconcealed.net/legal/ve ... e-laws.php

According to this you can open carry but they still have a Vermont CCW...am I reading it wrong?

Says right at the top: No permits required. The point I was trying to make was that, "no permit carry" isn't that far fetched for a rural state, although if Vermont was trying to get that law passed today, (wasn't on the books already) I doubt it would happen in blueblood New England.

Rem 700 : Just be carefull of those Masshole state police Last fall I was driving from Ky up to Maine . I had my Ky carry permit on me and my Non Resident Maine Hunting license on me . I have NEVER been in trouble with the law for anything other than minor motor vehicle offense. I was in my pick-up had Quad , large cooler in the bed of truck .In the back seat I had my Rifle and Hand gun .Both unloaded and in seperate locked cases, .Yes it was my fault I got pulled over 73 in 70 MPH zone .As the cop walked up to me I had my license ,Registration , and insurence card out .He asked me what I was in such a big hurry over I told him I was on my way up to maine for a hunting trip. I also POLITELY informed him that I had a rifle and handgun on the floor of the back seat as I thought that might be the proper thing to tell him. "NOT"
Well the next thing I know he tells me to step out of the truck as he pulled out his handgun. I did nothing to provoke him nor showed him any kind of attitude. He told me to put my hands on the hood and spread my legs as he frisked me then cuffed me.He then put me in the back of his squad car . I then Politely told him that there was a tackle box on the floor with ammo and my hunting license and my permit to carry in the same box.I also said my duffell bag just had clothes in it . So he calls his SGT request him to show up and asks if there was a canine unit available . Walks back to the truck ,unlocks the back door takes the rifle hand gun and tackle box out and lays them on the tailgate then goes back and dumps the contents of the duffell bag on the back seat .By this time his SGT and the K-9 cop show up . First cop asks me where the keys were for the locked up guns I told him on the ignition key ring .His sargent walks over to me and says step out of the car ,Ask If the K-9 guy could check out the truck .I said sure no problem I had nothing to hide. Well I start talking to the sargent who tells me he was going to Maine sunday night to his deer camp Meanwhile the 2 cops are writing up the serial numbers on the guns . He takes the info ,my license including hunting license and my concealed permit to his car to check out the info or verify the info what ever the procedure is . informing me along the way that the KY pistol permit don't mean shit in MASS and I was in a world of trouble .All the while his SGT is kind of snickering telling me if everything checks out I will be GOOD to go. well about 15 minutes latter he gets out of the car ,tells the sargent everything checked out . The SGT uncuffs me .the first cop tells the SGT he has to write up the speeding ticket Sgt asks how fast he responds 73 in a 70 zone Sgt says to forget it.Nice Guy.

The point I am making is Sometimes The paper the permits are printed on ain't worth crap. I do understand the procedures they have to verify .But how do you cover your ass when going out of your state Sometimes trying to be co-operative and saying what I thought was the right thing to do will get you in trouble . I suppose when my Full time Residence becomes Maine I will get a Maine concealed permit to keep being honest till then if you get stopped on I 495 in Mass BEWARE of trooper Kelso