Weekend Poll: Should Wyoming Get Rid Of Most Gun-Free Zones?

A bill that would eliminate most gun-free zones under Wyoming law has been filed for the upcoming session of the Wyoming Legislature.

You can read House Bill 125 here.

The bill would specify that anyone who can carry a concealed weapon in Wyoming could carry a gun into governmental meetings, including those of the legislature and local governmental meetings, such as city council and county commission meeting.

They could also carry guns into elementary or secondary schools as well as colleges and universities, and sporting events held on school grounds.

The bill would not prevent private property owners from banning firearms from their property.

Gun rights advocates have been trying for years to get similar legislation passed by the Wyoming Legislature, so far without final success.

Arguments For And Against the Bill

Supporters of such legislation say gun-free zones don't work in preventing mass shootings, pointing to a long list of mass killings in gun-free zones across the country.

Some also argue that such zones infringe on their Second Amendment rights. After all, it says that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." Gun-free zones, by definition, are an infringement.

They also say that a "good guy (or gal) with a gun" is the best counter to people who want to commit mayhem with a firearm. A potential mass shooter can never know who might start shooting back if gun-free zones are eliminated. Armed people don't make good victims.

But supporters of gun-free zones argue that just because mass shootings have happened in gun-free zones doesn't mean we should just get rid of all restrictions everywhere and make it even easier for killers to shoot people. They would argue that common sense says that gun-free zones do help protect the public, even if they don't always stop every mass shooting.

They also say letting people have guns in governmental meetings, for example, where tempers can get out of control, is a recipe for disaster.  Even normally law-abiding citizens can act irrationally in a fit of anger. Besides, some would say, why do we need armed people going into schools and colleges, with no restrictions at all? Why do people have to be armed at a city council meeting? Or the legislature? It poses all kinds of threats and makes protecting the public--including kids in school--much harder.

So what do you think? Take our poll and give us your opinion!