“The right of citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied.”
AT A GLANCE
Wyoming is a shall-issue state. No permit, background check, waiting period, or registration is needed to purchase from a private individual. Open carry is legal at 21. Concealed carry is legal at 21 — 18 for shotguns or rifles. WY honors permits from other states that recognize Wyoming permits. WY is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. There is no duty to retreat. A person who uses legal, reasonable defensive force shall not be criminally prosecuted.
Reciprocal Carry
By statute, Wyoming will recognize another state’s license to carry if that state recognizes Wyoming’s license:
“A person who wears or carries a concealed deadly weapon is guilty of a misdemeanor … unless: … (iii)The person holds a valid permit authorizing him to carry a concealed firearm authorized and issued by a governmental agency or entity in another state that recognizes Wyoming permits and is a valid statewide permit.”
Since there is no national carry license, as with the other states, some states are reciprocal with Wyoming and some are not. Anyone contemplating reciprocal carry should check with the official list maintained by the Wyoming State Police at the point in time the reciprocal carry is to occur.
Duty To Notify Police Officer
Permitees must carry their permit, together with valid identification at all times when they are carrying a concealed firearm. You must display both the permit and proper identification upon request from any LEO.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
Wyoming permits anyone who may legally possess a firearm to carry a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle without a permit. Wyoming residents can carry handguns openly or concealed, but nonresidents without a permit may only carry handguns if they are visible from outside the car and not concealed on their body. It is illegal to hunt, shoot, or attempt to kill any wildlife from any public highway.
Constitutional Carry
As of 7/1/11 Wyoming has enacted a constitutional carry law, although it only applies to Wyoming residents. Wyoming permits Wyoming residents who are at least 21 years old and legally allowed to possess a firearm to carry a handgun without a permit, openly or concealed.
NFA Items
Wyoming permits ownership of all NFA items, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law. It is illegal to hunt with a fully-automatic weapon or a suppressor.
Self-Defense Laws
Wyoming has both Castle Doctrine, and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat when attacked in any place You have a legal right to be, and You may use deadly force in self-defense if You reasonably believe it is imminently necessary to prevent death or SBI, the commission of a forcible felony, or to stop the unlawful & forcible entry into Your dwelling, residence, or occupied motor vehicle.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
You can carry a concealed firearm in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Places like Fridays or Chili’s unless they have a “No Gun Sign,” then You are prohibited from carrying into the establishment. This does not include a bar or the bar area of a restaurant – You are prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon in these areas. You are not allowed to carry while You consume alcohol or are under the influence of alcohol. You are permitted to open carry at any establishment that serves alcohol.
Do “No Gun Signs” Have The Force Of Law?
If a property or establishment has a “No Guns” sign or the person in lawful possession communicates to you that guns are not allowed, you are prohibited from carrying on to the property or into the establishment. Failure to obey such signs or verbal warnings constitutes criminal trespass.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Wyoming. No permit is required for residents. Non-residents must possess a permit or license issued by a state that Wyoming honors and that is a “valid statewide permit” to carry in Wyoming. Any person 21 years of age or older, who is not a prohibited possessor, may carry a weapon openly or concealed without the need for a license.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
Nothing on this website, or any other content by Our Second Right, is a promise or guarantee of results and we do not offer any legal, or other professional advice. Use caution and always consult your legal professional before acting on any information related to Your state’s gun laws. You alone are responsible and accountable for your decisions, actions and results in life, and by consuming any content by Our Second Right you agree not to attempt to hold us liable for your decisions, actions or results, at any time, under any circumstance.