Wyoming Gun Laws And Concealed Carry Guide

Wyoming is a permitless carry state. Since July 1, 2021, any U.S. resident who can legally have a gun may carry concealed in Wyoming without a permit, according to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Starting July 1, 2026, adults 18 and older can also get a Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit, down from 21.

The age for carrying without a permit after that change is not settled, and we explain why below. This guide also covers how to get the permit, the training rule, reciprocity, open carry, car carry, banned places and Wyoming’s stand your ground law.

Do You Need A Permit To Carry In Wyoming?

No, as long as you meet the legal requirements. Under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv), a person without a permit may carry concealed if they are a U.S. resident, meet the permit qualifications in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix), and can lawfully possess the firearm.

Those qualifications mean you can’t carry if you:

• Are barred from having a gun under federal law or Wyoming law (W.S. 6-8-102).
• Have a physical condition that keeps you from handling a gun safely.
• Were committed for controlled substance abuse in the past year, have an unpardoned felony drug conviction, or had a misdemeanor drug conviction in the past year.
• Chronically use alcohol to the point it impairs you.
• Are currently found legally incompetent, or have been committed to a mental institution.

The age question. Permitless carry borrows its age rule from the permit section, W.S. 6-8-104(b)(ii). House Bill 96 (2026) changed that paragraph from 21 to 18, effective July 1, 2026. Read literally, the statute now points to 18 for permitless carry too.

However, Cowboy State Daily reported that only the permit age changed and that 18- to 20-year-olds still need a permit to carry concealed. The DCI FAQ does not state a permitless carry age. We could not find an official DCI or Attorney General statement that settles it.

Until Wyoming clarifies, the safe course for anyone 18 to 20 is to get the permit before carrying concealed. If you are 21 or older and not prohibited, you can carry without one.

Why Get A Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit Anyway?

• Travel. DCI lists 35 states that honor the Wyoming permit. Permitless carry only works inside Wyoming.
• Schools and colleges. Since July 1, 2025, only holders of a Wyoming-issued permit may carry concealed in public K-12 school facilities, public college and university facilities, and public school athletic events that don’t sell alcohol (W.S. 6-8-105). Permitless carry does not reach these places.
• Ages 18 to 20. The permit removes any doubt about the permitless age question.

How To Get A Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit

DCI issues the permit, but you apply through the sheriff’s office in your county. You must be a U.S. resident who has lived in Wyoming for at least six months, and at least 18 as of July 1, 2026.

1. Meet the training rule. Get proof that you are familiar with a firearm, such as a course certificate. See the next section.
2. Go to your county sheriff. Bring a sworn application, your training proof and ID. The sheriff takes a full set of fingerprints.
3. Pay the fees. DCI charges $64 for a new permit, payable by money order or cashier’s check only. The sheriff may charge a separate fingerprint and processing fee.
4. Wait for the permit. DCI says processing takes about 30 to 90 days. By statute, DCI has 60 days after it receives everything to issue or deny.

The permit is good for five years. You can renew up to six months before it expires for $45, or up to six months after for $55. DCI does not send renewal notices, so mark your calendar.

Start with the official DCI Concealed Firearm Permit FAQ. You can also reach DCI at CFP@wyo.gov or 307-777-7181.

Do You Need A Class For A Wyoming Carry Permit?

You need to show “familiarity with a firearm” under W.S. 6-8-104(b)(vii). A class is the most common way, but any one of these counts:

• A firearm safety or training course using NRA-certified or Wyoming law enforcement academy-certified instructors.
• A law enforcement or security firearms course.
• Organized handgun competition or military service.
• A course taught by a state-certified or NRA-certified firearms instructor.
• Certification as proficient by a Wyoming law enforcement agency.
• Honorable retirement as a federal or state peace officer with at least 10 years of service.

Proof can be a copy of a course certificate, a notarized affidavit from the instructor, or a document showing competition participation. The statute sets no minimum hours and does not require live fire.

The law does not say whether a course must be in person. It does say a qualifying course must be taught by an NRA-certified or state-certified instructor. An online course without that instructor certification would not fit, so confirm with your sheriff or DCI before relying on any online course.

A short online safety course is a good first step if you are new to carrying. Treat it as a primer before you take a qualifying class and apply. It is not a permit.

Can Non-Residents Get A Wyoming Carry Permit?

No. DCI says non-residents cannot get a Wyoming permit. Wyoming residents serving in the military out of state, and their spouses, can apply or renew without coming back.

Visitors usually don’t need one. Permitless carry covers any U.S. resident who meets the legal requirements, and Wyoming also honors a valid statewide permit from any state that recognizes Wyoming permits (W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iii)).

Which States Honor The Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit?

According to the DCI reciprocity list, 35 states honor the Wyoming permit:

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.

DCI tells travelers to check each state’s own rules and confirm the permit is valid before a trip. Some states set their own age limits for visitors, which matters for permit holders under 21.

Going next door? See the Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah and Idaho guides, or browse concealed carry laws by state.

Can You Open Carry In Wyoming?

Yes. Wyoming law requires no permit to open carry. Handgunlaw.us, a secondary source, lists the minimum age as 18 and notes that state law preempts local open carry rules.

There are limits. Government entities may ban open carry in their own facilities and on their campuses, even where permit holders can carry concealed (W.S. 6-8-105(d)). Private property owners can also ban guns.

Can You Keep A Gun In Your Car In Wyoming?

Yes. Anyone who can carry without a permit may also carry in a vehicle, loaded and concealed. No separate vehicle permit exists.

• School parking lots: The 2025 law extends school and campus carry only to Wyoming permit holders, and school districts may set rules for permit-holding staff. If you carry without a Wyoming permit, keep the gun off school and college property, and check local district or campus rules.
• Employer parking lots: We found no Wyoming law that requires employers to let workers keep guns in their cars. Check your employer’s policy.

Where You Can’t Carry A Gun In Wyoming

Under W.S. 6-8-104(t), anyone carrying concealed, with or without a permit, may not carry into:

• A facility used mainly for law enforcement operations or administration, without written consent of the chief administrator.
• Any detention facility, prison or jail.
• Any courtroom, though a judge may carry or decide who carries there.
• The part of a bar or restaurant licensed for on-premises drinking that is mainly devoted to serving alcohol.
• Any K-12 school facility, if you are enrolled as a K-12 student.
• Any place where federal or state law prohibits firearms.

Other limits under W.S. 6-8-105:

• Schools and colleges: Only Wyoming permit holders may carry concealed in public K-12 and college facilities, subject to school district rules for staff and volunteers.
• Health and human services settings: The law does not authorize carry in state agency health and human services settings, certain licensed or certified facilities, or facilities holding explosive or volatile materials.
• Private property: Owners may ban firearms on their property.

The 2025 law also opened places that used to be off-limits. Anyone lawfully carrying concealed, with or without a permit, may carry in government meetings, legislative meetings, public buildings not otherwise restricted, and the parts of public airports where federal law allows (W.S. 6-8-105(b)).

Duty to inform: Wyoming does not require you to tell an officer you are carrying. Permit holders must carry the permit and valid ID whenever they carry concealed, and show both if a peace officer asks (W.S. 6-8-104).

Wyoming Castle Doctrine And Stand Your Ground Law

Wyoming has both, in W.S. 6-2-602. Deadly force is allowed to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury, judged by what a reasonable person would believe.

Castle doctrine. You are presumed to fear death or serious injury if someone unlawfully and forcefully enters, or has entered, your home or habitation. “Habitation” includes structures meant for overnight stays, such as trailers, campers and tents. The presumption does not apply against someone with a right to be there, a peace officer or corrections employee on duty, or a parent, grandparent or guardian taking their own child.

Stand your ground. If you are attacked in a place you have a right to be, you have no duty to retreat. This protection does not apply if you started the fight or were engaged in illegal activity.

Immunity. A person who uses reasonable defensive force cannot be criminally prosecuted for it under W.S. 6-2-602(f). W.S. 6-1-204 adds civil immunity. If a court finds the force was reasonable, it must award your attorney fees, court costs and lost income.

Immunity is decided after the fact. It doesn’t stop an arrest, an investigation or charges, and paying a lawyer until a judge rules can be expensive.

Wyoming Gun Laws FAQ

Is Wyoming A Constitutional Carry State?

Yes. Any U.S. resident who can legally possess a firearm and meets the statute’s requirements may carry concealed without a permit. The age for permitless carry after July 1, 2026 is unsettled, so people 18 to 20 should get the permit first.

Can An 18-Year-Old Carry A Gun In Wyoming?

An 18-year-old can get a Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit starting July 1, 2026, under HB 96. With the permit, they can carry concealed. Whether they can carry concealed without a permit is not clearly settled.

How Much Is A Wyoming Concealed Carry Permit?

DCI charges $64 for a new permit and $45 to renew on time, or $55 if late. Your sheriff may add a fingerprint and processing fee.

Can You Carry A Gun In A Bar In Wyoming?

Not in the part of an establishment mainly devoted to serving alcohol for on-site drinking (W.S. 6-8-104(t)(vii)). Other areas, such as a restaurant dining room, are not covered by that ban.

Can You Carry On The University Of Wyoming Campus?

Only with a Wyoming-issued permit, and only in some campus areas, according to the UW Police campus carry FAQ. Permitless carry and out-of-state permits do not cover campus facilities.

Can You Carry A Gun In Church In Wyoming?

Yes, unless the church says no. Wyoming repealed its ban on carrying in places of worship in 2018 (HB 141, effective July 1, 2018). A church can still ban guns as private property. If you serve on a volunteer safety team, look into legal protection for church security teams.

Sources

• Wyoming DCI: Concealed Firearm Permit FAQ (fees, reciprocity, permitless carry)
• Wyoming Legislature: HB 96 (2026) Enrolled Act, Permit Age
• Wyoming Legislature: HB 96 (2026) Bill Digest
• Wyoming Legislature: HB 172 (2025) Enrolled Act, W.S. 6-8-105
• Wyoming Legislature: HB 141 (2018) Summary, Places Of Worship
• W.S. 6-8-104, Concealed Firearms (Justia mirror, 2025 code)
• W.S. 6-2-602, Use Of Force In Self-Defense (Justia mirror)
• W.S. 6-1-204, Civil Immunity For Defensive Force (Justia mirror)
• University Of Wyoming Police: Campus Carry FAQ
• Handgunlaw.us: Wyoming (secondary source)
• Cowboy State Daily: Wyoming Lowers Concealed Carry Age To 18 (news report)