CHEYENNE, WY. — The Wyoming chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement after lawmakers broke legislative procedure rules and revived HB 125, just after lawmakers in the Judiciary Committee voted down the measure last night after hours of debate.
“This is reckless and shameful,” said Beth Howard, a volunteer with the Wyoming chapter of Moms Demand Action. “In a session that was vowed to focus on the budget and fiscal state of the state, our lawmakers are diverting into dangerous attempts to further weaken our gun laws – breaking their own rules to put us in more danger. We’re prepared to fight this bill every time, no matter how many times it’s brought back. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle must come together to reject this dangerous legislation that seeks to flood our communities with guns.”
HB 125 seeks to advance the gun lobby’s dangerous “guns everywhere” agenda by pushing guns into government meeting spaces, schools, universities, and sporting events, while punishing anyone who refuses to allow guns in those places. This would be a dangerous change for Wyoming as current state law prohibits people from carrying guns into specific prohibited locations including schools, jails, courtrooms, government and legislative meetings, athletic events, and establishments licensed to serve alcohol. More information on the dangers of HB 125 is available here.
Wyoming has one of the highest rates of gun deaths and gun suicide in the country, along with some of the weakest gun laws and high household firearm ownership. In an average year, 142 people die by guns in Wyoming. With a rate of 24.0 deaths per 100,000 people, Wyoming has the third highest rate of gun deaths in the US. More information about gun violence in Wyoming is available here.
To speak with a Moms Demand Action volunteer or an Everytown policy expert on HB 125 and other legislative efforts, please reach out to [email protected]
