CHEYENNE, WY. — The Wyoming chapters of Moms Demand Action, and leaders with Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after lawmakers in the Senate passed HB 125. The measure, which now heads to Governor Mark Gordon’s desk, 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.
“Lawmakers should be embarrassed – passing this bill is careless and dangerous, jeopardizing our safety to accommodate the interests of the gun lobby.,” said Beth Howard, a volunteer with the Wyoming chapter of Moms Demand Action. “From churches to school drop-offs we have seen how places once thought sacred can become deadly. Now, lawmakers are inviting deadly weapons to every corner of our daily lives. As our state battles the highest suicide rate in the country, we should be working to prevent gun deaths, not exacerbate the crisis. We urge Governor Mark Gordon to protect Wyoming families and veto this dangerous legislation.”
“Students across the country are growing up scared for our lives, and Wyoming lawmakers hellbent on forcing more guns into more places is next level absurdity,” said Justin Funez, a member of the Students Demand Action National Advisory Board. “With one of the highest rates of gun deaths and some of the weakest gun laws in the country, what do they think is going to happen here with deadly legislation like this? It defies all common sense and will only put more lives in danger.”
Earlier this week, HB 125 was struck down 3-2 by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but lawmakers bypassed the committee, the Senate rules and broke precedent by reviving the measure hours later.
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.