Gun Laws in Wyoming
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
Wyoming's exceptional score of 94 reflects the state's constitutional carry laws, absence of restrictions on firearm types, strong preemption laws, and comprehensive self-defense protections.
Wyoming Gun Laws Summary
Wyoming has established itself as one of the most gun-friendly states in the nation. The state has minimal restrictions on firearms and ammunition, often avoiding duplication of federal regulations and not imposing additional burdens beyond what federal law requires.
Wyoming is a shall-issue state for concealed weapons permits, though permits are entirely optional. The Division of Criminal Investigation handles permit issuance, and qualifying applicants will receive their permits without discretionary denial. While not required, obtaining a permit provides advantages including reciprocity with other states and streamlined firearm purchases.
Since July 1, 2011, Wyoming has been a constitutional carry state when Governor Matt Mead signed HB 47 into law. Any law-abiding citizen or legal resident who is at least 21 years old and legally permitted to possess a firearm can carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Wyoming was the fourth state in modern times to adopt constitutional carry, further cementing its reputation as a state that strongly protects Second Amendment rights.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
No permits are required to purchase firearms or ammunition in Wyoming. Background checks are conducted for sales through federally licensed dealers (FFLs) as required by federal law, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Private sales between individuals require no background check, permit, or registration. Wyoming law explicitly prohibits any state or local governmental unit from maintaining a registry of firearm transfers or firearm ownership.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
Wyoming is a constitutional carry state where no permit is required for open or concealed carry. Residents aged 21 and older who can legally possess firearms may carry without a permit. Wyoming honors concealed carry permits from all states that recognize Wyoming permits.
Open carry is legal without a permit for anyone 18 years or older who can legally possess a firearm. Certain locations prohibit carry, including federal buildings, courthouses, law enforcement facilities, schools (with exceptions), and any place where federal law prohibits firearms. For those who choose to obtain a permit, Wyoming requires a firearms safety training course from an NRA-certified instructor or equivalent. The permit application fee is $64.50 for new permits and $45 for renewals.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
Wyoming has no bans on semi-automatic firearms, detachable magazines, or firearms with specific features. There are no magazine capacity restrictions. All NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, etc.) are legal to own provided federal requirements are met. Wyoming law specifically prevents local governments from enacting any regulations more restrictive than state law.
Local Laws
Wyoming has strong statewide preemption of firearms laws. State law explicitly prohibits counties, cities, towns, and other political subdivisions from enacting any ordinance, regulation, or rule relating to firearms. This ensures uniform gun laws throughout the state and prevents local governments from creating a patchwork of regulations that could confuse gun owners and potentially criminalize otherwise lawful behavior.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
Wyoming Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Intervention and Seizure Provisions
Red Flag Law
Law enforcement (and others, depending on the state) is allowed to request that firearms be taken away from others with limited due process.
Emergency Gun Seizure Before Restraining Orders
Similar to a red flag law, state will take away guns before an actual conviction. This is often during domestic disputes, before a restraining order takes effect, and in similar situations.
Guns Seized for Hate Crimes
State will take away all firearms from an individual in response to a misdemeanor hate crime conviction.
Guns Seized After Becoming Prohibited
State will quickly respond when an individual's status changes to prohibited and take away all firearms belonging to that person.
Guns Seized After Domestic Violence Conviction
State will quickly respond to take away firearms from an individual if they are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Guns Seized Amid Restraining Orders
State will take away all firearms from anyone who is subject to a restraining order, even though federal law already does this.
No Stand Your Ground Law
State imposes a "duty to retreat" before using force or requires "proportional force" when responding to an attack or dangerous situation with force.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
This piece discusses the ammunition and firearms laws that apply in the state of Wyoming. To do so, the piece starts off with the ammo laws, describing the legal requirements for having ammunition shipped to a residential address in the state. From there, we dive into the gun laws, examining both the processes for buying guns in the state and the laws that govern the carriage of firearms. To wrap things up, the piece concludes with some resources that we think you will find useful if you are interested in legally buying, owning, and carrying firearms and ammo in Wyoming.
We do not intend this piece as legal advice. Instead, we hope that you find the information here helpful to you in doing your own research, to make your own decisions.
Wyoming, like many states, has preemption: this means that state law forbids localities, such as counties, cities, and towns from making or enforcing gun laws that are stricter than those at the state level. Preemption makes things easier for gun owners since your understanding of state law then applies to the entire state.
Wyoming is arguably the most permissive state in the country in terms of its ammo and firearms laws. The state imposes few regulations beyond those at the federal level and, in some instances, actually takes legal issue with the enforcement of federal law on constitutional grounds. This, and the fact that gun bans would almost certainly never pass into law in the state, makes Wyoming highly permissive in terms of its gun laws.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Wyoming
First, we will cover the ammo laws in Wyoming.
Wyoming is very permissive in terms of its ammunition laws, and the state does not impose any bans or regulations beyond those at the federal level. Thus, the process for buying and shipping ammunition in the state is governed by the federal laws and rules that are enforced by the ATF.
The ATF imposes two sets of requirements on people who want to buy ammunition. The first is an age requirement. Buyers have to be eighteen to buy ammo for long guns (rifles and shotguns) and at least twenty-one to buy ammo for handguns. Secondly, ammo buyers cannot be prohibited persons, which the ATF defines as people who have been convicted of felonies or domestic abuse, those who have been found mentally unfit in a court, and people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility for inpatient treatment.
Assuming that the buyer meets those two sets of requirements, Wyoming takes no issue at the state level with people having ammunition shipped to their homes. Buyers are free to shop online for ammo in Wyoming. Keep in mind that carriers might impose additional rules such as asking for a person with a valid ID to be present to sign for a package containing ammo.
Since federal laws apply in the entire US, Wyoming is as permissive as it can be because the state does not impose additional regulations in the sale or possession of ammunition.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Wyoming
Next, we will do the same for gun laws.
Wyoming might well be the most permissive state in the country in terms of its gun laws as well. There are no bans on magazines of any capacity in this state. Similarly, there’s no assault weapons ban that would ban guns by either a list of features or by name.
The state is fine with its residents owning NFA items such as suppressors, machine guns, and short-barreled rifles in shotguns. Wyoming has taken an additional permissive step and has passed a state law stating that items made in Wyoming and possessed by Wyoming residents that would otherwise be NFA time will not be considered such by the state government. The same law imposes penalties on federal law enforcement officials who attempt to enforce the NFA regulations on those items. In practical terms this leaves NFA items in the state in a similar position to marijuana in many states: the state says they’re legal, the federal government disagrees, and the federal government can choose to selectively not enforce federal prohibitions in certain states. If nothing else, this law is a clear signal that Wyoming is highly permissive in terms of its stance on guns.
Buying a firearm from a dealer in the state follows the federal process. The buyer should bring a form of ID with their current address, and a form of payment, to their local gun store. There, the FFL will have the buyer fill out Form 4473, which serves as both a background check and a legal record of the purchase. Once the background check is clear and payment accepted, the buyer is free to leave with their firearm the same day: Wyoming does not impose additional waiting periods.
This state does not require that private persons selling firearms conduct a background check on the buyer. With that said, it is advisable to make a written and signed bill of sale stating that the seller has confirmed, to the best of their knowledge, that the buyer is old enough, and is not a prohibited person.
Wyoming is permissive in its stance on carrying guns, too: both open and concealed carriage of a firearm is legal in the state, and neither method requires a permit. Like most states that have permitless carry, Wyoming also continues to issue its concealed carry permits. The main benefit of these permits is that they allow Wyoming residents to legally carry firearms in other states that recognize the permits issued by Wyoming.
Every state has a list of places where it is illegal to carry a firearm, and Wyoming is no exception to this rule. In Wyoming, this list of prohibited places includes:
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Correctional Facilities
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Residential Schools
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Hospitals
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Courtrooms
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Law Enforcement Facilities
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Schools (K-12 and Universities)
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Federal Property (Including the local post office)
This list is not an unusual one, and even the most permissive states have a nearly identical list: this does not make Wyoming much less permissive.
Wyoming is not only permissive in its lack of major regulations, the state outright refuses to enforce the NFA within its borders: this stance alone makes Wyoming arguably the most gun-friendly state in the country. Add in permitless carry, and Wyoming is, in our view, the most permissive state in the nation.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Wyoming.
Wyoming’s general sales tax rate is 4%, and some localities tack on some additional taxes, making the effective tax rate as high as 6% in some spots: the sheer distances between towns in the state would likely offset any savings in gas consumption, so there’s not much point in FFL shopping in a lower-taxed part of the state.
Wyoming does not impose any additional or special taxes on the sale of firearms or ammunition.
More Resources:
Here are some resources that we think you’ll find useful in Wyoming:
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The ATF publishes a listing of all FFLs within a given state, and this list is updated somewhat regularly. It can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is an excellent tool for finding ranges that are convenient to you. Use the zip code, city, and mileage filters to find spots to shoot. Users can add more ranges, and the information is regularly checked for accuracy.
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Wyoming is home to a number of well-regarded gun stores to meet your firearms needs.
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While it is not state-specific, the Northwest Firearms Forum does have a number of members from Wyoming: finding a specific Wyoming forum for firearms is a challenge given the low population of the state.