Wyoming citizens could carry concealed handguns without needing a state permit under a bill that passed its first committee on Tuesday.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 6-2 to recommend approval of House Bill 113 after a testimony from pro-gun groups and other supporters.
"I bring the bill here today because I do believe it is our right not only under the United States Constitution, but under the Wyoming Constitution," sponsor Rep. Elaine Quarberg, R-Thermopolis, told the committee.
The state would keep its existing concealed carry permit system even if her bill passes, Quarberg said. Wyoming residents who have state permits may carry concealed guns in other states that have reciprocity with Wyoming. The permits also serve as a substitute for federal background checks on gun purchases.
The Judiciary Committee amended Quarberg's bill to specify that people who are mentally incompetent or who have been committed to mental institutions wouldn't be allowed to carry concealed guns.
Rep. Joe Barbuto, D-Rock Springs, voted against the bill.
"I'm a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights," Barbuto said. "I don't think anybody around this table could accuse me of being a bleeding heart liberal."
However, Barbuto said he's happy with the current permit system, which has law enforcement review permit applications.
"I don't think we need to take away that accountability," Barbuto said.
Rep. John Patton, R-Sheridan, cast the other vote against the bill. He said that despite being a gun-owner himself, he didn't see how passing the bill would help with the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness in the state.
Anthony R. Bouchard, spokesman for the Wyoming Gun Owners Association, told the committee he wants to see the concealed carry bill move forward.
Bouchard said his group sees no need to require training for Wyoming citizens who would carry concealed guns. A lot of people in the state are ranchers who grew up with guns and handle them daily, he said.
States that have gun control have "50,000 gangbangers walking around carrying guns," Bouchard said.
Gov. Dave Freudenthal told reporters at his regularly scheduled press conference on Tuesday that his opinion of Quarberg's bill was "mixed."
"If it gets to me, I'll sure take a look at it." Freudenthal said.
The Judiciary Committee also voted unanimously to recommend approval of House Bill 95. It would specify that guns that are manufactured and sold within Wyoming would be exempt from federal regulations. Montana passed such a law last year and similar legislation is pending in several other states.
It's good here in Michigan.
Course, you have to go the long way around Iowa and Illinois to get here.