Starting July 1, anyone with a concealed carry permit will be legally able to carry a concealed firearm throughout most areas of the Northwest College campus. In order to provide guidance to those who wish to carry on campus, the board of trustees on Monday considered a new policy to address the matter.

After discussion, the trustees approved sending the new policy on concealed carry to a second reading.

As the policy is written to conform with state statute, people will be able to concealed carry with a permit in most areas of the campus with the exception of areas like labs where there are hazardous materials.

“With the passing of this legislation, we felt it was time to bring this forward as a policy,” NWC President Lisa Watson said. “Also, quite frankly, it was listed as a policy recommendation for development several years ago. So that’s where that’s coming from.”

The policy aligns with state law mandated by House Bill 172, which was overwhelmingly passed by the Legislature — including all county legislators — and which Gov. Mark Gordon allowed to become law without his signature. 

The law eliminates most gun free zones as of July 1, and has led to a variety of institutions, such as K-12 schools, to determine how to follow the new law.

Park County School District 1 is weighing options regarding a concealed carry policy for staff. Under statute school districts can require training stipulating in the bill or no training at all, unlike colleges, which are not able to require any level of training besides having a concealed carry permit.

Watson said while the college isn’t always required to draft a policy to abide by state statute, all of the state community college leaders determined to draft one together to ensure the colleges are aligned with new state law. 

“The purpose of this policy is to promote an educational environment by regulating the possession, use, and storage of firearms and other weapons on all properties owned, leased, and/or controlled by the College,” the policy reads in part.

Watson said it helps that NWC already has a number of procedures in place that address issues related to firearms, many of which will still be in place. For instance, Watson said the state statute does not allow Constitutional Carry, in which anyone aged 18 years or older can carry without a permit. 

Instead, the policy fits in with the new law in specifically allowing only those ages 21 and older who have a valid concealed carry permit to concealed carry. Those who do are also allowed to secure their weapon in a vehicle, office or on-campus residence only if it is in a biometric container or an approved safe. 

As the new policy reads: “The Board of Trustees prohibits the possession, use or storage of firearms and any other dangerous weapons on campus or at any college-sponsored event, unless that individual has been issued and possesses a valid concealed carry permit, or is a certified peace officer; pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104(a)(i) and(ii).”

The policy was developed with input from all eight community colleges alongside legal counsel, State Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne. 

Key aspects of the policy

*This is the wording for parts of the policy that was advanced to second reading and is not the final policy.

Responsibilities

• Permittees are personally responsible for any injury or damage resulting from the use or possession of their firearm.

• Permittees must have their concealed carry permit along with valid identification on their persons when they are concealed carrying a firearm.

• Permittees may not open carry a partially or wholly visible firearm on campus property.

• Permittees who carry a firearm on campus must always carry it concealed and on or about their person or is in such close proximity to the person that it is readily accessible for prompt use.

• While on campus property, permittees are required to keep the firearm in a holster that completely covers the trigger and entire trigger guard area. The holster must have sufficient tension or grip on the handgun to retain it in the holster even when subjected to unexpected jostling.

• Firearms with an external safety must be carried with the safety in the ‘on’ position.

Firearm Storage

• Permittees who cannot keep their firearm on or about their person must secure their firearm(s) as follows:

1. In a concealed biometric container, or

2. In a lock box that has a high-strength locking system consisting of a mechanical or electronic combination and not a key lock.

1. Any container/lock box must be large enough to fully contain all firearms placed in it and provide secure storage.

• Permittees may not secure their firearm(s) in a locked, privately-owned, or leased motor vehicle, unless it is secured as identified above.

• The College shall not require the storage of firearms separate from ammunition as required by W.S. § 6-8-105(d)(vii)(B).

College Property

• Permittees are allowed to have their firearms in any location on college property, including but not limited to, outdoor areas, as well as buildings and spaces that are accessible to the public, unless in a prohibited area.

• Permittees are allowed to conceal carry in individual or private offices, departmental spaces, and classrooms. College employees may not impose a ban on firearms by permittees in departments, classrooms, or offices.

Exclusion Areas

The following areas are prohibited for firearms and other deadly weapons, including for permittees:

• College athletic events where alcohol is being sold/tendered.

• College property where explosive or volatile materials are present, in such an amount that may reasonably cause serious bodily injury due to the materials’ explosive or volatile nature.

1. Some locations on college property include, but are not limited to:

1. Engineering Shops and Workshops

a. Welding classes

2. Chemistry Laboratories

3. Chemical Storage Rooms

4. Firearms Training Laboratories

5. Aeronautical training spaces subject to FAA regulations

• College property containing explosive or volatile materials may be marked with a conspicuous sign indicating firearms are prohibited. It is the responsibility of the permittee to know these locations.

Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or regulation or state law.