If Virginia becomes completely untenable for me to keep living here, I’ll most likely move across the border to West Virginia. It’s still close to family and friends, and it’s red enough that I wouldn’t be too worried about a Democrat takeover (though the parts of West Virginia closest to D.C. are already seeing an influx of government employees moving in).
I have to admit, though, that Wyoming is looking increasingly attractive as well, in large part because the legislature continues to find ways to strengthen our right to keep and bear arms.
Following the 2025 passage of the “Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act,” state legislators are now turning their attention toward further loosening restrictions on where firearms can be carried and who can legally carry them.
Two new proposals from Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, represent the next phase of this effort, seeking to broaden campus carry rights and lower the eligibility age for state-issued concealed firearms permits from 21 to 18.
House Bill 95 aims to close a gap left by last year’s gun-free zone repeal. Under the 2025 law, individuals were granted the right to carry concealed weapons in public college and university facilities, but that right was restricted specifically to those holding a state-issued concealed carry permit.
Under HB 95, anyone who can legally carry a gun under the state’s permitless carry laws could do so on college and university campuses.
That would still not apply to 18-to-20-year-olds, who have to obtain a concealed carry permit before they can lawfully bear arms in public.
Currently, Wyoming law allows 18- to 20-year-olds to apply for a permit only if their local sheriff provides a personal recommendation based on circumstances that warrant the issuance. HB 96 would remove this discretionary hurdle, allowing young adults to apply through the standard process used by those 21 and older.
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak expressed personal support for the shift, noting that he already generally approves requests from young adults with clean records.
“My personal opinion is if you can volunteer for the military, you can vote, I do agree that you should be able to have a concealed weapons permit as well,” he said.
I’m honestly surprised to see this law in place in 2A-friendly Wyoming, since it appears on its face to violate the Supreme Court’s decision in Bruen that held “may issue” permitting regimes are unconstitutional.
Conditioning the issuance of a permit to a sheriff providing a personal recommendation based on the applicant’s justifiable need to carry a firearm is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
I’m with Sheriff Kozak. If someone can vote, enlist (or be drafted) into the armed services, get married, serve on a jury, and be charged as an adult for committing crimes, then they’re an adult and are fully vested with their constitutionally-protected rights. There’s no reason why a 20-year-old should have to get their sheriff’s discretionary blessing to bear arms but a 21-year-old can legally do without a permission slip at all.
Wyoming already has some of the best gun laws in the country, but Cowboy State legislators keep finding a way to improve upon the status quo. Both of these bills would be substantial additions to the state’s gun laws, and Wyoming gun owners should be talking to their lawmakers now and urging them to get behind HB 95 and HB 96.
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