Wyoming Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

Yes. A person who does not have a permit may carry a concealed deadly weapon if he or she is a resident of the United States, meets the permit criteria in W.S. 6-8-104(b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix), and may otherwise lawfully possess the firearm. Those criteria include the age requirement in (b)(ii), not being barred under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or W.S. 6-8-102, no disqualifying drug commitments or convictions, no chronic alcohol impairment, no physical infirmity preventing safe handling, not being adjudicated legally incompetent, and never having been committed to a mental institution. The (b)(ii) age was changed from 'twenty-one (21)' to 'eighteen (18)' by 2026 Wyo. Sess. Laws ch. 87 (HB 96), effective July 1, 2026. Per DCI, permitless carry has applied to any U.S. resident legally allowed to possess firearms since July 1, 2021. Carrying concealed when not covered is a misdemeanor (up to 6 months, $750) for a first offense and a felony (up to 2 years, $2,000) for a repeat offense.

Wyoming concealed firearm permit, issued by the Attorney General through the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI); applications go through the sheriff of the applicant's county. Shall-issue: the division 'shall issue' a permit to any person who meets the listed criteria, and must issue or deny within 60 days, though it may deny for misdemeanor crimes of violence in the past 3 years or on a sheriff's report of reasonable grounds. Requirements: U.S. resident and Wyoming resident for at least 6 months; at least 18 years of age (effective July 1, 2026; previously 21); not prohibited from possessing firearms; and demonstrated familiarity with a firearm (for example an NRA or Wyoming law-enforcement-academy certified course, law-enforcement training, handgun competition or military service). Fingerprints are required. Statutory fee: $50 (new or renewal), plus fingerprint costs; DCI lists $64 for a new application, $45 for a renewal before expiration and $55 for a late renewal. Valid 5 years. Covers handguns only. Nonresidents cannot obtain a permit.

Wyoming has no state law that requires a permit to carry a firearm openly; the concealed-weapons statute regulates only concealed carry. Governmental entities may prohibit open carry, display or wearing of a firearm in their facilities or on their campuses. Firearms regulation is reserved to the state; cities, counties and agencies may not regulate carrying except as the chapter provides.

Wyoming has no state law in its weapons chapter that sets a general minimum age to buy or possess handguns or long guns. The only state purchase-age rule found is in the Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act, which applies only to firearms manufactured in Wyoming and kept exclusively in the state: a buyer must be at least 21 for a handgun and 18 for a shotgun or rifle.

Wyoming has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) sales. Dealers, wholesalers, retailers and pawnbrokers must keep the records required by federal law at their place of business, open to inspection by peace officers. Per DCI, the ATF has determined that a Wyoming concealed firearm permit satisfies federal law in place of the instant background check when buying from a federal licensee. Local governments and agencies may not regulate the sale, transfer or purchase of firearms.

Wyoming has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm. Only the state may regulate the sale, transfer, purchase or delivery of firearms.

Wyoming has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders, and it bans red flag orders. Under the Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act, the state, its agencies and political subdivisions may not implement or enforce any federal or state law, order or judicial finding that would enforce a 'red flag gun seizure' order against a Wyoming resident, and may not spend state funds or accept federal funds to do so. Agencies whose officers knowingly enforce such an order face civil damages and penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, and since July 1, 2026 any person who knowingly violates the act commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. The act does not cover existing prohibitions such as felony convictions, protection orders, bond or probation conditions, or involuntary hospitalization.

Wyoming has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. The state has preempted all regulation of firearms, accessories, components and ammunition; no agency, city, town or county may regulate them except as the chapter provides.

Wyoming has no state law in its weapons chapter that sets a separate rule for handguns in vehicles. A handgun in a vehicle is governed by the general concealed-carry law: a permit holder, a holder of a recognized out-of-state permit, or a person who qualifies for permitless carry under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) may carry it concealed, loaded or unloaded, without any locked-container requirement in Title 6.

Wyoming honors a valid statewide concealed firearm permit issued by another state that recognizes Wyoming permits. DCI states that Wyoming has reciprocity with Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Separately, any U.S. resident who may legally possess firearms can carry concealed in Wyoming without a permit.

No one carrying concealed (with or without a permit) may carry into: a facility used mainly for law-enforcement operations or administration without the chief administrator's written consent; a detention facility, prison or jail; a courtroom (judges may carry and decide who carries); the portion of a bar or other liquor-licensed establishment primarily devoted to serving alcohol for on-site drinking; an elementary or secondary school facility if the person is enrolled as a student; and any place where federal or state law bans firearms. Under the 'Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act' (2025), concealed carriers may carry at government meetings, legislative meetings, public buildings and non-secure areas of public airports, and permit holders only may carry in public K-12 school facilities, public college and university facilities, and public school or college athletic events on public property that do not sell alcohol. School districts may set rules for armed employees and volunteers. Private property owners may restrict firearms, and governmental entities may ban open carry in their facilities. No state ban at polling places was found.

Wyoming has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, or kits. Only the state may regulate the manufacture, sale or possession of firearms, components and accessories. Under the Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act, a firearm made and sold in Wyoming under that act must be marked 'made in Wyoming' on a central part such as the receiver or frame.