24/7 Wall St. Insights

• Firearm policy has become one of the most polarizing issues in American politics in recent years.
• The partisan debate over the appropriate balance between gun rights and gun control has resulted in years of stalled gun control initiatives in Washington, D.C., and a patchwork of firearm regulations across the 50 states. 
• Wyoming is one of many states that has done little to expand upon existing federal gun control laws.
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Gun ownership has been enshrined as a constitutional right in the United States for over two centuries. While federal law restricts access to firearms for certain groups — including felons, illegal drug users, and fugitives — and effectively prohibits civilian ownership of specific types of firearms — such as fully automatic weapons and short-barreled shotguns — American gun laws are among the most permissive gun laws in the world.

In recent decades, the increasing regularity of mass shootings have made gun control one of the most polarizing issues in American politics — and attitudes towards firearms largely split along party lines. According to a 2023 Gallup survey, only 31% of likely Republican voters say that gun laws should be stricter, compared to 84% of likely Democratic voters.

In Washington D.C., the partisan divide over gun control has yielded little beyond political gridlock. In the absence of legislative action on Capitol Hill, many states have exercised their authority to expand upon federal gun control policies. Others, meanwhile, have adopted a decidedly hands-off approach.

According to the analysis of Giffords Law Center, a gun violence prevention group, Wyoming has the weakest gun control laws of any state in the country. Accounting for a wide-range of policies at the disposal of state governments — including assault-style weapon and high-capacity magazine bans, universal background check laws, waiting periods, and regulating firearms in public — Gifford’s Law Center assigned Wyoming a letter grade of “F”, on an A-F scale, for the strength of its gun control policies. (Here is a look at every state’s gun law grade.)

Firearm regulations are generally designed and implemented to reduce the likelihood of gun violence. In states where gun control takes a backseat to gun rights, firearm fatality rates tend to be higher than average. According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 124 firearm related deaths in Wyoming in 2022, or about 20.4 for every 100,000 people, the 11th highest gun-death rate of the 50 states. (Here is a look at the U.S. cities where gun crime is surging.)

Using data compiled by Gifford’s Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Wyoming’s approach to 14 key gun control policy areas. It is important to note that the laws on this list are not exhaustive, and only represent broad guidelines. Legal nuances can also vary at the local level.

Why It Matters

With the exception of some modest revisions to background check protocols, the U.S. has not implemented any meaningful gun control reform in decades. Still, state governments also have the authority to enact their own policies, resulting in a patchwork of gun laws across the 50 states. Currently, Wyoming ranks as having the weakest state-level firearm regulations in the country.

Universal background check laws

• State policy: Under federal law, all gun buyers must undergo a background check before obtaining a firearm from a licensed retailer — but transfers made from unlicensed retailers are exempt from background check requirements. While many states have closed this loophole with universal background check laws, Wyoming has not.

Mental health reporting

• State policy: Wyoming is not required to report individuals involuntarily committed to undergo mental health treatment, or those who are under living with a guardian to help manage their affairs, to federal background check databases.

Concealed carry of a firearm

• State policy: No permit required to carry a concealed firearm in certain public places in Wyoming.

Handgun open carry regulations

• State policy: Open carry of handguns is permitted in certain public places in Wyoming.

Long gun open carry regulations

• State policy: In Wyoming, open carry of a long gun is permitted in certain public places.

Stand your ground laws

• State policy: Use of deadly force is permitted in public, if necessary, to prevent death or serious bodily harm — even if it is possible to step away from the incident.

Guns in schools

• State policy: In Wyoming, firearms can be carried in K-12 schools by school security officers, teachers, and other school employees who have been granted permission.

Mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases

• State policy: There is no mandatory waiting period for firearm purchases in Wyoming.

Assault-style weapons

• State policy: Assault-style weapons, like those modeled after AK-47 or M-16 military rifles, are not regulated in Wyoming.

High-capacity magazines

• State policy: Wyoming does not regulate or restrict high-capacity magazines.

Licensing requirements

• State policy: Gun owners or prospective buyers do not need to obtain a permit in Wyoming.

State-level prohibitions on who can own firearms

• State policy: Wyoming does not meaningfully expand upon federal laws restricting access to firearms for certain individuals.

Minimum age requirements for handguns

• State policy: In Wyoming, individuals must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun. The state does not set a minimum age requirement for possession of a handgun.

Minimum age requirements for long guns

• State policy: In Wyoming, individuals must be at least 18 years old to purchase a long gun, like a rifle or shotgun. The state does not set a minimum age requirement for possession of a long gun.

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