Bill
SF 196
Wyoming bans state/local use of funds or personnel to enforce or aid federal gun laws, creates civil/criminal liability for violations, with swift injunctive relief.
Status and timeline
- Introduced: February 4, 2025.
- Passed Senate (after amendments): 29–1–1 (Feb 10, 2025). Passed House: 53–7–2 (Mar 3, 2025). Conference report adopted; enrolled as SEA No. 0082.
- Effective date specified in the enrolled bill: July 1, 2025.
- Final: Governor vetoed SEA No. 0082 (Mar 19, 2025).
- Fiscal note: impact not determinable (LSO).
Purpose / intent
- To strengthen state protections for exercise of Second Amendment rights by (1) forbidding state or local use of Wyoming personnel or funds to enforce, assist, or cooperate in enforcing certain federal firearms regulations, and (2) creating civil and criminal remedies and liability where state actors violate that prohibition.
Key provisions and substantive changes
- Prohibition on enforcement/cooperation: State and political subdivisions are prohibited from using Wyoming-funded personnel or funds (including federal funds originating in-state) solely to enforce, administer, cooperate with, provide material aid to, or otherwise participate in enforcement or implementation of any federal law, rule, order or regulation that the bill characterizes as infringing Second Amendment rights “solely regarding firearms, accessories or ammunition,” against “law‑abiding citizens.”
- Definitions:
- “Law‑abiding citizen” = person not otherwise prohibited under Wyoming law from possessing a firearm; explicitly excludes persons not legally present in the U.S. or Wyoming.
- “Material aid” is broadly defined (lodging, transportation, communications, facilities, personnel, weapons, etc.) but expressly excludes providing medical treatment or assistance to avoid physical injury.
- Civil liability and penalties:
- Agencies (state agencies, political subdivisions, law enforcement agencies) that employ public officers or peace officers who knowingly violate the prohibition may be liable in civil action to injured parties and are subject to a civil penalty of $50,000 per violation; courts may award injunctive or other equitable relief and reasonable attorney fees. Courts must hold a hearing on injunctive motions within 30 days of service.
- New W.S. 1-39-124: a governmental entity is liable for damages resulting from violation of W.S. 9-14-203.
- Criminal penalty:
- Any public officer (and/or peace officer, as defined) who knowingly violates the prohibition is made guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment, a fine up to $2,000, or both.
- Exceptions / carve-outs:
- Allows cooperation or aid in circumstances not covered by subsection (a), including: assisting federal officers pursuing a suspect who is linked to another state or country and not present in Wyoming; providing aid to federal prosecutors in multi‑jurisdictional felony prosecutions (where weapons violations are ancillary and substantially similar to Wyoming law); accepting federal assistance to enforce Wyoming laws.
- The bill clarifies it does not (i) preclude investigations and lawful seizure of firearms related to violations of Wyoming law, and (ii) impose liability for civil penalties on individual officers (penalties apply to employing agencies).
- Governmental claims / immunity changes:
- Amends Wyoming Governmental Claims Act language to make clear that governmental immunity from tort liability is subject to the new liability provisions (i.e., 1-39-124 is among the exceptions to immunity).
Who would be affected
- Primary: state agencies, counties, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and other political subdivisions of Wyoming; public officers and peace officers employed by those entities; Wyoming residents who are plaintiffs in enforcement‑related disputes.
- Secondary: federal law enforcement or federal programs interacting with state/local entities in Wyoming.
Procedural / implementation notes
- Effective date in the enrolled bill: July 1, 2025.
- The bill required courts to expedite injunctive relief hearings (within 30 days).
- Although enrolled, the bill was vetoed by the Governor on March 19, 2025; any operative effect would require veto override by the legislature (not reflected here).
This summary captures the main operative changes proposed by SF 196 as enrolled. It does not analyze constitutional or litigation risks, which commentators have noted would likely be central to implementation disputes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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