Poll: Should Firearms Be Allowed At The University Of Wyoming?

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider allowing the concealed carrying of firearms at it’s November 20-22 meeting.

The issue of guns on campus in Laramie has long been a contentious one. Numerous bills in the Wyoming Legislature to get rid of most gun-free zones in the state would have allowed guns on the U.W. campus. But so far none of those bills have become law.

The current university gun policy generally prohibits firearms on campus, although people can ask the UW police department for an exemption under certain circumstances, such as if they feel their lives are in danger from a stalker.

Publlic Events Planned To Discuss Concealed Carry

The UW Firearms Research Center [FRC] Which is based at the UW College of Law, plans two public events to discuss the proposed rule.

The first is a webinar “featuring Vice President and General Counsel Tara Evans, UW Police Chief Josh Holland, Branding Iron Editor-in-Chief Ven Meester and FRC Director’ George Mocsary, a law professor. This online event, moderated by FRC Executive Director Ashley Hlebinsky, will provide information about the content of the draft rule,” according to the release.

That event is slated for Thursday, Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m.

The FRC is also planning a town-hall meeting  Monday, Nov. 18, at 12:30 p.m. in the West Ballroom of the Wyoming Union. The release says ”Panelists include President Ed Seidel, Evans, Holland, Meester and Mocsary. The in-person event will be moderated by College of Business Assistant Professor Matt Burgess and will allow participants to ask questions, glean insight and, ultimately, weigh in on this important topic.”

You can submit questions at FRC@uwyo.edu.

To RSVP for the events go to https://firearmsresearchcenter.org/events/. Zoom and WyoCast links will be sent upon registration.

Opponents of banning guns on campus generally argue that gun-free zones don’t really stop anyone who is intent on breaking the law. They say that an armed public is better able to protect themselves from armed assailants, saying that a good-guy with a gun can often stop a bad guy with a gun.

But supporters of banning guns on campus say that while someone who plans out a mass attack with a firearm may indeed ignore gun-free zone laws, it’s still one more barrier. They also say the easy availability of firearms is a factor in many heat-of-the moment shootings and even suicides.

So what do you think? Should people be allowed to carry concealed firearms on the UW campus? Take our poll and give us your opinion!