Sheridan City Council begins discussion of gun free zone repeal with water guns

SHERIDAN (WNE) — The repeal of many of Wyoming's gun-free zones is fast approaching.

Sheridan City Councilor Jack Wood laid water guns on the desk in front of his colleagues on Monday and told them he wants to make sure they're protected.

"It was just for fun. The main reason is I've talked to some older people, and they see somebody with a gun on their hip and it makes them nervous," Wood told The Sheridan Press.

Wood added he hoped the water guns made his colleagues on city council laugh, easing some tension.

Gov. Mark Gordon allowed House Bill 172, "Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments," to become law without his signature in February. When it becomes law July 1, the bill will allow concealed carry in any schools, government buildings and meetings.

While concealed carry isn't currently allowed, Sheridan Police Department Chief Travis Koltiska said he and other SPD officers already assume people are carrying concealed in any situation.

"(We'll) actually treat it no different. The fact that there's a law that authorizes people to carry concealed at these events doesn't mean that people haven't carried concealed in these locations in the past in violation of statute," Koltiska told The Sheridan Press.

"I already have the assumption that there may be somebody who's carrying concealed in there now. The change is going to be, prior to the law going into effect, if I saw a concealed weapon then it would be addressed immediately," he said.

After the law goes into effect, Koltiska added, there won't be any action taken because somebody carrying concealed wouldn't be violating the law.

Koltiska often attends council meetings to offer security and remain informed of the governing body's actions.

Beyond local governments, local school districts and Sheridan College have started to weigh and prepare for the repeal.

This story was published on April 8, 2025.