By Madelyn Beck
Gov. Mark Gordon will lead a public discussion Monday about allowing firearms in the Capitol.
Part of a Wyoming State Building Commission meeting, the conversation is slated for 4-6 p.m. in the Capitol Extension Conference Center Auditorium (122 W 25th Street).
“I look forward to a thoughtful conversation with the board, and to hear from the public as we examine how we may work towards eliminating gun-free zones where appropriate,” Gordon said in a prepared statement.
The discussion will only involve concealed carry in public spaces of the Capitol building and extension, and will not address other state-owned facilities.
Legislators passed a bill this winter that would have allowed those with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into most public facilities overseen by the state, including local government meetings, the Capitol and schools.
Gordon vetoed the legislation, saying in his letter to the secretary of state that it “erodes historic local control norms” and “exceeds the separation of powers embodied in Article 2 of our Wyoming Constitution. I must, therefore, veto it.”
Since then, Gordon has re-started the conversation around allowing more concealed carry at the Capitol via the Wyoming State Building Commission — a panel that includes the governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and superintendent of public instruction.
The Capitol presents a particularly complicated case because various parts of it are overseen by different branches of government during different parts of the year.
The public is encouraged to attend and comment. Those wishing to observe and participate from afar can join virtually here, or submit online public comments via a form that opens Aug. 12.
No action will be taken at the meeting.
This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
