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More guns for Wyoming, not less

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Wyo. may loosen gun laws






While the rest of the nation debates tighter gun-control restrictions following the Sandy Hook shooting, proposals are looming for the upcoming Legislative session that would do just the opposite.

By Trevor Brown
[email protected]

CHEYENNE -- Proposals to loosen gun regulations are likely to emerge when the Legislature convenes in early January.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is spurring national leaders to call for tighter federal gun-control laws. But several Wyoming legislators say they are planning to sponsor legislation that would do the opposite.

Incoming Speaker of the House Tom Lubnau, R-Gillette, said he is drafting legislation that would end gun-free zones.

He said he still is working on the details and the bill has not yet been filed. But he said it could include allowing teachers and other staff to have guns in schools.

Lubnau said more gun restrictions will not necessary lead to less violence. He added that violent acts are routinely carried out with weapons other than guns.

He pointed to last month’s deadly bow-and-arrow attack at Casper College as one recent example.

“Focusing the discussion on the type of weapon is used is a distraction from the real issue,” he said. “It’s a shame because the real issue is: How do we prepare and defend ourselves from very, very bad people who want to do some very bad things?”

Rep. Kendell Kroeker, R-Casper, agreed that there will definitely be gun-related bills discussed during the upcoming session that begins Jan. 8.

“You never know how people will react (to the Sandy Hook shooting), and I think you’ll get both points of views,” he said.

“But one thing that has been true of recent shootings is that they have all taken place in gun-free zones. And I think security will be a real topic.”

Kroeker and Lubnau are both working on reintroducing a bill that was rejected during the last session. It would prevent local officials from passing gun-control laws that are stricter than the state’s laws.

Kroeker said this would create a more consistent statewide policy. And it also would prevent decisions such as one made by Casper in 2011 when it banned the open carry of weapons in government meetings.

They said they are modifying the bill so it won’t have the type of penalties for officials who violate the law that were proposed in the 2012 bill.

Kroeker added that he would support a measure that would allow teachers to have guns in schools.

“I know I would feel a lot safer about my kids,” he said.

Sen. Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne, who will be the new Senate president, said he is not aware of any specific gun-related legislation coming out of the Senate. But he added it is unlikely that legislation to limit gun use will be seriously considered.

“I think (Sandy Hook) is a horrible tragedy, and it has all of us wondering if there are solutions,” Ross said. “But I don’t anticipate we’ll see any sort of legislation to add regulations or ban assault weapons.

“I think the vast majority of our members support the Second Amendment, and I don’t see that changing.”

But last week’s shooting has at least one lawmaker reconsidering legislation the he already has filed.

Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, submitted a bill before Sandy Hook that would end the sales and use tax on firearms and ammunition.

He said Wednesday that he is considering modifying or killing the bill.

“After the national tragedy involving gun violence, I and some of the other co-sponsors will be reassessing whether we will want to introduce it,” he said.

Zwonitzer said the idea behind the bill was not necessarily to make guns more accessible.

Instead, he said, it was a more philosophical argument that citizens shouldn’t be taxed on something that the Constitution guarantees they can have.

A fiscal note from the Legislative Services Office says the state is unable to accurately estimate how much the proposal would cost in lost revenue.

But the note, using several assumptions, suggests the sales tax on firearms is roughly $478,000 per year.

Zwonitzer said if the bill is introduced, another option is to somehow add more money for gun safety programs.
 
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