Is Wyomings concealed carry law constitutional?

[EMNofSeattle]

So in a couple of days I'll be driving down to Missouri, and I plan to travel through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming through Colorado and Kansas.

In Wyoming they passed a law several years ago that permits those eligible for a concealed handgun license in Wyoming to carry a handgun with no license, in effect creating constitutional carry, however some believe because Wyoming does not issue non-resident licenses that non-wyoming residents are not eligible for constitutional carry.

so since I do not possess a Wyoming CHL, and cannot under Wyo law, and since Wyo doesn't recognize my Washington concealed pistol license, I could not legally carry concealed in Wyoming, but wait! Doesn't that mean that Wyomings law assesses criminal penalties to non residents that do not exist to residents, and thus is in violation of the 14th amendment?

 

[Southern Dad]

So in a couple of days I'll be driving down to Missouri, and I plan to travel through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming through Colorado and Kansas.

In Wyoming they passed a law several years ago that permits those eligible for a concealed handgun license in Wyoming to carry a handgun with no license, in effect creating constitutional carry, however some believe because Wyoming does not issue non-resident licenses that non-wyoming residents are not eligible for constitutional carry.

so since I do not possess a Wyoming CHL, and cannot under Wyo law, and since Wyo doesn't recognize my Washington concealed pistol license, I could not legally carry concealed in Wyoming, but wait! Doesn't that mean that Wyomings law assesses criminal penalties to non residents that do not exist to residents, and thus is in violation of the 14th amendment?

It's an interesting argument. There was a guy who carried in New York a few years back that found out that you have to know the reciprocity laws. I personally am able to legally carry in all 57 states, concealed or open. This causes me to often forget about the reciprocity and to not even really stay cognizant of the laws of that state. Is Wyoming the only state you will be passing through that does not have reciprocity with Washington?

 

[Captain Adverse]

So in a couple of days I'll be driving down to Missouri, and I plan to travel through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming through Colorado and Kansas.

In Wyoming they passed a law several years ago that permits those eligible for a concealed handgun license in Wyoming to carry a handgun with no license, in effect creating constitutional carry, however some believe because Wyoming does not issue non-resident licenses that non-wyoming residents are not eligible for constitutional carry.

so since I do not possess a Wyoming CHL, and cannot under Wyo law, and since Wyo doesn't recognize my Washington concealed pistol license, I could not legally carry concealed in Wyoming, but wait! Doesn't that mean that Wyomings law assesses criminal penalties to non residents that do not exist to residents, and thus is in violation of the 14th amendment?

This needs some clarification from Wyoming authority.

Sounds like "being eligible for concealed carry" does not mean you'd have to have a concealed carry. Just that you would not be denied one if you applied under Wyoming law. So check Wyoming law for the requirements of concealed carry, and if you'd qualify then there shouldn't be a problem having a gun not licensed in Wyoming...especially if you already have an actual concealed carry permit from some other state.

If you are worried about it, contact the State Police of Wyoming.

 

[Captain Adverse]

It's an interesting argument. There was a guy who carried in New York a few years back that found out that you have to know the reciprocity laws. I personally am able to legally carry in all 57 states, concealed or open. This causes me to often forget about the reciprocity and to not even really stay cognizant of the laws of that state. Is Wyoming the only state you will be passing through that does not have reciprocity with Washington?

When did we add another 7 States?

 

[Crovax]

When did we add another 7 States?

 

[EMNofSeattle]

It's an interesting argument. There was a guy who carried in New York a few years back that found out that you have to know the reciprocity laws. I personally am able to legally carry in all 57 states, concealed or open. This causes me to often forget about the reciprocity and to not even really stay cognizant of the laws of that state. Is Wyoming the only state you will be passing through that does not have reciprocity with Washington?

No, Oregon and Colorado do not either.

although I'm not worried about Oregon since I'm only passing through a corner of the most rural uninhabited county of the state (Malhuer) Colorado I can open carry except for in the City of Denver, and I can loop around and avoid there.

Wyoming I can open carry too, but I was wondering for the purposes of argument how their law may be illegal.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

This needs some clarification from Wyoming authority.

Sounds like "being eligible for concealed carry" does not mean you'd have to have a concealed carry. Just that you would not be denied one if you applied under Wyoming law. So check Wyoming law for the requirements of concealed carry, and if you'd qualify then there shouldn't be a problem having a gun not licensed in Wyoming...especially if you already have an actual concealed carry permit from some other state.

If you are worried about it, contact the State Police of Wyoming.

A Wyoming non resident is not eligible for a Wyoming license.

which is why their constitutional carry law is believed only to apply to Wyoming residents.

 

[Southern Dad]

When did we add another 7 States?

My flag is out of date. I have been looking for the new one every since 2008. :roll:

But on the subject, I never really thought about the reciprocity limitations when passing through states. A few years ago, a friend and I were in South Carolina just getting our of my car, when local law enforcement saw my Georgia tags and realized we were armed. He actually drew his weapon, disarmed us, then called for back up. As we stood there with our hands on the trunk of the car waiting for his supervisor to show up and make him feel stupid, I wondered about how many people actually know that crossing a border with that weapon can get them in a whole lot of trouble. Of course, when his supervisor showed up, checked our ID's, he explained to the officer why we did not need to have a SC carry permit. The officer felt pretty stupid but his only comment to us was why didn't we tell him that we had LEOSA identification? My answer was that he didn't ask. His only question to us was did we have a SC CCW, to which we replied we did not.

I also had an incident in New York where an officer saw my open carry sidearm and did the full deal, get down on the ground, spread them, etc.

 

[Captain Adverse]

A Wyoming non resident is not eligible for a Wyoming license.

which is why their constitutional carry law is believed only to apply to Wyoming residents.

Believed by whom? Have you contacted the State Police to find out how it would apply to you as a visiting American citizen?

 

[Southern Dad]

No, Oregon and Colorado do not either.

although I'm not worried about Oregon since I'm only passing through a corner of the most rural uninhabited county of the state (Malhuer) Colorado I can open carry except for in the City of Denver, and I can loop around and avoid there.

Wyoming I can open carry too, but I was wondering for the purposes of argument how their law may be illegal.

While I am an advocate of state's rights, this is one of those situations where we have fifty different sets of laws on who can carry and who cannot. Georgia doesn't issue a concealed carry permit. We simply have a GCL (Georgia Carry License). It is up to the licensee if they will open or concealed carry. I can see how some in Wyoming could think the law applies differently. Even law enforcement could have a question about it. This could lead to legal problems.