Gordon lets Wyoming gun-free zones repeal become law, decries ‘legislative power grab’

CHEYENNE—Gov. Mark Gordon announced late Thursday that he will let House Bill 172, “Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments,” go into law without his signature, while calling it a “legislative power grab.”

In a letter to House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, the governor reiterated his support for the repeal of gun-free zones in Wyoming, but expressed frustration that “Gun-free zones are not repealed – they are now determined exclusively by the legislature.”

“Elections are impactful, and I recognize the overwhelming majority of this legislature opted to drop a political bomb,” Gordon wrote in his letter. “The final outcome of this legislation is not in doubt. It will become law.”

He also reminded Neiman that he vetoed a “remarkably similar bill” at the end of last year’s budget session. As he did so, he noted that he believes each government entity should get to decide whether to allow firearms in their public spaces.

“Reflecting this legislature’s lackadaisical effort to openly debate and work on this legislation before sending it to my desk, it is tempting to copy and return the same veto letter,” Gordon wrote. “Compare that effort to the work done locally from the time of my veto letter, when only four school districts had firearm carry policies, to today, when 60% of school districts (according to the Wyoming Association of School Administrators), every single community college, and the University of Wyoming heeded my call to action and took up the debate.”

He noted that a handful of legislators tried to pass amendments to HB 172, recognizing that local process and grandfathering in those local decisions.

“Such a lack of regard for the principle of ‘government closest to the people’ so fundamental to our Republic is stunning,” Gordon wrote. He later added, “I am left to imagine this legislative session was never about ‘self-defense’ or a common-sense effort to extend carry rights. More to the point, it was always about the legislature grabbing power.”

Gordon signed several bills into law Thursday, including House Bill 42, “Regulation of surgical abortions,” which “adds additional safety requirements to surgical abortion facilities in Wyoming while the state’s abortion prohibition is being considered by the Wyoming Supreme Court,” according to a news release from his office.

He also signed Senate File 114, “Missing persons-reporting requirement,” which he said provides better guidance and support to law enforcement when responding to missing adults. The bill also clarifies the process of reporting someone missing, and ensures that the state’s missing persons database is updated in a timely manner, increasing the likelihood of better outcomes for missing persons, according to the news release.

He allowed two other bills to become law without his signature – SF 168, “Budget reserve account-repeal,” and SF 77, “Compelled speech is not free speech.” In his letter to Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, about the latter, he said it was “a solution in search of a problem.”

Sponsored by Sen. Lynn Hutchings, R-Cheyenne, the bill prohibits the state and other government entities from compelling employees to refer to their colleagues by their preferred pronouns.

“Given that these issues are not prevalent in Wyoming government, I must conclude that this bill, rather than addressing an urgent policy concern, is instead meant to convey a public perspective on gender and the use of preferred pronouns,” Gordon wrote, later adding, “Law making should be a serious endeavor, not just a means of making political statements.”