CHEYENNE, WY. — The Wyoming chapter of Moms Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement applauding Governor Mark Gordon for vetoing HB 125. The measure would have advanced 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.
“Today is a win for Wyoming families,” said Erika Cole, a volunteer with the Wyoming chapter of Moms Demand Action. “As our state battles some of the highest rates of gun deaths and suicide rates in the country – it’s only right for the Governor to veto this bill that would have further fueled this crisis and eliminated local control of firearms. From the school drop-off to the state championship game, our families deserve to live and thrive in a safe environment free from the presence of guns. We thank our governor for his life-saving action today and look forward to working together on behalf of the well-being of Wyoming families.”
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 rates of 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.