Keep Second Amendment Protections Strong in Wyoming!
Thank you so much for taking action on our alerts. They are hearing you loud and clear in Cheyenne!
In fact, were it not for the efforts of GOA and its members, we would be losing ground and would have forfeited the incredible victories that we recently achieved here in Wyoming.
So I have great news to report to you today. But first, let me explain where we’ve been, to better make sense of how we accomplished such a great feat today.
In 2022, GOA fought to pass Wyoming Statute 9-14-203 which imposed a Criminal Penalty of imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, and a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), for state or local officials who infringe on your Second Amendment Rights.
While no law is perfect, many around the country regard this law as the nation’s strongest Criminal Second Amendment Protection Act (SAPA) because it serves as a serious deterrent for officials who would infringe on your Rights!
Since the passage of the 2022 law, GOA has worked in Cheyenne every year to add a process allowing citizens to take civil action against a governmental entity that infringes on our Second Amendment Rights. This concept would allow citizens to hire an attorney and seek financial damages from Agencies and Departments.
Sadly, some groups and legislators have played political games with these facts and misrepresented these issues to the people of Wyoming for years!
Recently, 8 Wyoming Legislators proposed SF0196, and a House mirror bill HB0283, that would destroy the criminal penalty in Wyoming law for Wyoming officials who infringe on your Second Amendment Rights.
They falsely claimed this was “advancing Second Amendment Rights.”
Don’t take our word for it, download the identical bills, as introduced into the Legislature (HB0283 and SF0196), and look at the language on page 4 striking the Criminal Penalty that many call America’s best!
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS!
Legislators have heard the voice of GOA members, and during this morning’s Senate Agriculture Meeting, SF0196 was amended by the Committee to reinstate the criminal penalties!
What this means is that SF0196 NOW HAS NO IMPACT ON THE CRIMINAL PENALTY THAT PROTECTS YOUR RIGHTS!
THE QUESTION BECOMES WHAT NOW HAPPENS MOVING FORWARD!?
GOA has worked for many years to establish civil processes allowing citizens to go to court against agencies and departments that infringe on your Second Amendment Rights!
We have held meetings with many members of the Wyoming Legislature, Representatives of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, and with groups of Sheriffs from across Wyoming.
We have consistently searched for a law that can pass to protect the Second Amendment Rights of individuals while also allowing law enforcement officials to do their job of arresting actual criminals and protecting the public.
The fight is far from over. SF0196 was heavily amended in terms of how it impacts civil penalties, so our attorneys are now reviewing SF0196 to determine if the Civil Processes in the Bill will give Wyoming citizens the Second Amendment Protections we need.
Please click the TAKE ACTION HERE, or in the graphic at the top, and contact your elected Representative and Senator. Tell them you support keeping the Criminal Penalties and establishing a workable and Constitutionally-sound process allowing Citizens to sue Agencies and Departments when Rights are violated.
THE PROCESS IS RAPIDLY EVOLVING, so please stay tuned for more information soon regarding how you can help strengthen Second Amendment Protections in Wyoming.
