Wyoming Gun Laws (2026): Concealed Carry, Open Carry, Permits, and Where You Can Carry

Wyoming remains one of the most permissive states for firearm owners in the nation. As of 2025 and 2026, the state has further solidified its "pro-Second Amendment" status by passing the Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, which significantly expanded the areas where permit holders can legally carry. Wyoming operates under a "Constitutional Carry" model, allowing both residents and non-residents to carry concealed without a permit.

 

Quick Summary

 

 

What Changed in 2025–2026?

• Repeal Gun Free Zones Act (HB 172): Effective July 1, 2025, this landmark law removed many previously prohibited "gun-free zones." Lawful permit holders can now carry in governmental meetings, the state legislature, and most public buildings.
• Public Schools and Universities: Under the 2025 Act, local school boards and university trustees retain some authority to set storage rules, but the default state law has shifted to allow broader carry access for permit holders in these facilities.
• Second Amendment Protection Act (SAPA): Strengthened in 2026 to further penalize any local official who assists federal agencies in enforcing firearm regulations that violate Wyoming's state protections.

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Carry Rules

 

Open Carry

 

Open carry is legal in Wyoming for anyone at least 18 years old who can legally possess a firearm. No permit or license is required.

 

Concealed Carry

 

Concealed carry is legal without a permit for any U.S. citizen or legal resident who is 21 or older and not otherwise prohibited from owning a gun.

 

Permitless Carry

 

Since 2021, Wyoming has allowed non-residents to carry concealed without a permit, matching the rights previously held by residents. This means travelers from any state can carry concealed in Wyoming without paperwork, provided they meet the age and eligibility requirements.

 

Why someone might still get a permit

 

Even with permitless carry, many Wyomingites obtain a Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) for:

1. Reciprocity: To carry in the ~35 states that recognize the Wyoming permit.
2. Exemption: Federal background check (NICS) exemption when buying a gun from a dealer.
3. Sensitive Areas: Certain areas reopened by the 2025 "Repeal Gun Free Zones Act" specifically require a state-issued permit.

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Permits

 

Wyoming is a Shall Issue state.

• Resident vs Non-Resident: Wyoming does not issue permits to non-residents (unless they are active-duty military stationed in-state).
• Training Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate "firearm familiarity" (e.g., Hunter Safety, military service, or an NRA-certified course).
• Cost, Processing, Renewal: * Initial: ~$64 to the DCI plus local sheriff fingerprint fees (~$15).
• Timeline: Approximately 90 days.
• Renewal: $45 (must be done every 5 years).
• Local Variations: Wyoming has strict preemption; local cities cannot pass their own carry laws.

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Where You Can and Can’t Carry

 

Prohibited Places

 

Despite the 2025 expansion, carry is still prohibited in:

• Detention Facilities: Prisons, jails, and juvenile halls.
• Courtrooms: Unless specifically permitted by the presiding judge.
• State Health Facilities: Specifically "Direct Care" facilities like the Wyoming State Hospital.
• Establishments Serving Alcohol: Carrying is generally prohibited in the "bar" portion of a restaurant (the area primarily devoted to dispensing liquor).

Private Property Signage

 

Private business owners have the right to exclude firearms. While signs don't have a specific "statutory weight," ignoring a "No Guns" sign can result in a criminal trespass charge if you refuse to leave.

 

Vehicle Carry

 

You may carry a loaded or unloaded firearm (handgun or long gun) in your vehicle, concealed or open, without a permit.

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Buying, Owning, and Transporting Firearms

 

Dealer vs Private Sales

• Private Sales: No background checks or registration required.
• Dealer Sales: Subject to FBI NICS background checks.

 

Registration / Waiting Periods

 

Wyoming has no firearm registration, no waiting periods, and no magazine capacity limits.

 

Federal Prohibited-Person Summary

Regardless of state law, you are a "prohibited person" under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) if you:

• Are a convicted felon.
• Use marijuana (even if legal in other states).
• Have been adjudicated as "mentally defective."

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Self-Defense Law Basics

 

Wyoming is a strong Stand Your Ground state.

• Stand Your Ground: Per Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-602, you have no duty to retreat from any place you have a legal right to be.
• Castle Doctrine: There is a legal presumption that you acted reasonably if you use deadly force against an intruder in your home or occupied vehicle.
• Civil Immunity: Wyoming law provides immunity from civil lawsuits if your use of force is found to be justified under self-defense statutes.

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Reciprocity and Travel

 

Reciprocity at a Glance

 

Wyoming honors all valid out-of-state permits. However, because Wyoming is a "permitless" state, you do not actually need a permit to carry while visiting.

 

Interstate Travel

• Safe Passage (18 U.S.C. § 926A): Federal law protects you while transporting unloaded, encased firearms through restrictive states.
• Flying: Follow TSA baseline (unloaded, locked hard-sided case, declared).
• National Parks: Carrying is legal in National Parks (like Yellowstone or Grand Teton) in accordance with Wyoming law, but firearms are still prohibited inside federal "buildings" (ranger stations, visitor centers).
• While carrying is legal in National Parks, there are federal wildlife protections that make the discharge of a firearm (except in very limited circumstances) illegal.

See also: RIGHT TO BEAR CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY MAP 

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FAQs

 

Can I carry a gun in a bar in Wyoming?

 

No. Carrying in the portion of an establishment "primarily devoted" to serving alcohol is prohibited.

 

Do I have to tell a cop I have a gun?

 

No. Wyoming does not have a "duty to inform" statute. However, you must present your ID if asked.

 

Can non-residents carry concealed in Wyoming?

 

Yes. Since 2021, permitless carry applies to any legal U.S. citizen over 21.

 

Are there magazine limits in Wyoming?

 

No. You can legally own and carry magazines of any capacity.

 

Is it legal to carry in a Wyoming state park?

 

Yes. Both concealed and open carry are permitted in state parks.

 

Can a school board still ban guns after the 2025 law?

 

The 2025 Act repealed most "gun-free" zones, but school boards can still implement specific storage regulations for employees; however, they cannot outright ban permit holders from the grounds.