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Wyoming Gun Laws: How Do State Laws Apply on Native American Reservations?

Wyoming Gun Laws: How Do State Laws Apply on Native American Reservations?
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By    |   Sunday, 28 December 2014 12:21 PM EST

Wyoming has some of the most lenient gun laws in the nation and the state is known for its enthusiastic support of the Second Amendment. However, as Native American reservation land in Wyoming is governed by tribal law, Wyoming gun laws may not apply on tribal lands.

Wind River Indian Reservation is populated by more than 3,900 Eastern Shoshone and 8,600 Northern Arapaho tribal members. The reservation, which is located in southwestern Wyoming, is the seventh largest federally recognized reservation in the nation at just over 3,473 square miles.

Wyoming state gun laws do not require a permit to purchase or possess rifles, shotguns, and handguns nor does the state require that firearms be registered. The state does prohibit the use of firearms in "all state parks, campgrounds, recreational grounds, historic landmarks, or historic sites unless otherwise designated by the state Fish and Game Commission."

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In 2011, it became legal for residents of Wyoming to "carry a concealed handgun anywhere in the state that a person who obtains a Wyoming Concealed Firearms Permit can carry. They do not have to obtain any type of permit/license from the state to exercise their Second Amendment rights." This right is extended provided certain requirements are met including being at least 21 years of age, not suffering from a physical condition "which prevents the safe handling of a firearm," not being ineligible to possess a firearm, not having been convicted of drug or alcohol abuse, not legally incompetent, and never having been committed to a mental institution.

However, while Wyoming state gun laws are considered lenient, stricter tribal law applies on Native American lands. According to HandgunLaw.us, the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes of the Wind River Indian Reservation have the following gun laws:
  • Concealed Carry: "No person who shall wear or carry a dangerous weapon concealed on or about his person, unless the person is a peace officer or holds a valid permit to carry it." Further, "Any person found guilty of violating this Section may, upon conviction, be sentenced to fifty (50) days payable, and the weapon so carried shall be confiscated."
  • Unlawful Discharge of a Weapon: No person shall willfully discharge any species of firearm, air gun, or other weapon, or throw any missile, in any public place or in any place where there is any person or property to be endangered thereby, regardless of whether or not injury to any person or property ensues." Secondly, "Any person found guilty of violating this Section may, upon conviction, be sentenced to not less than sixty (60) days nor more than one (1) year imprisonment, a fine of not less than $500.00 nor more than $5,000.00, or both, and the weapon so discharged or thrown shall be confiscated."
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.

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Wyoming has some of the most lenient gun laws in the nation and the state is known for its enthusiastic support of the Second Amendment. However, as Native American reservation land in Wyoming is governed by tribal law, Wyoming gun laws may not apply on tribal lands.
wyoming, gun, laws, native, american, reservations
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2014-21-28
Sunday, 28 December 2014 12:21 PM
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