Wyoming Gun Laws in Plain English
In Wyoming, you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you are at least 21 years old. You can openly carry at age 18. There are no waiting periods, registration requirements, or limits on the type of guns or magazines you can own. However, you must still obey federal laws, especially regarding the 1,000-foot school zones (unless you have a permit) and federal buildings. You cannot carry in schools, courts, or bars.
Critical: Wyoming Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1If you are 18-20 years old, you can Open Carry but you CANNOT Concealed Carry (W.S. § 6-8-104(a)(iv) requires age 21).
- #2Constitutional Carry does NOT exempt you from the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)). You need a WY permit to be legally exempt within 1,000 feet of a school.
- #3You cannot carry in any establishment that primarily serves alcohol (W.S. § 6-8-104(t)(x)).
- #4You cannot carry at any meeting of a governmental entity (W.S. § 6-8-104(t)(iv)), including city council or county commissioner meetings.
- #5College campuses are prohibited zones unless you have written consent from security (W.S. § 6-8-104(t)(vi)).
- #6Carrying a firearm while intoxicated is a crime.
- #7While Wyoming law (SAPA) claims to exempt WY-made guns from federal law, relying on this for NFA items (suppressors/machine guns) without federal tax stamps will likely result in federal prison.
- #8National Park buildings (Yellowstone/Grand Teton) are federal facilities where carry is prohibited, even though the park grounds are legal.
- #9The Wind River Reservation may have different tribal regulations regarding firearms that supersede state law.
- #10You cannot carry in courtrooms or jury assembly areas (W.S. § 6-8-104(t)(ii)).
- #11Private property owners can ban firearms; ignoring a sign isn't a specific gun crime statute but can lead to trespass charges.
- #12Snowmobiles and hunting: It is generally illegal to hunt from a motorized vehicle, and specific game laws apply to carrying while bow hunting.
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.