March 11th 2026 |
Photo – Courtesy of Mark Gordon
Governor Gordon vetoed a bill that would prevent Wyoming law enforcement from cooperating with federal gun‑confiscation orders.
The Wyoming senate, fearing a federal attempt to seize firearms from law-abiding citizens, introduced Senate File 101, the Second Amendment Protection Act. Senate President Bo Bitman sponsored the legislation, which was approved by both houses.
SF 101 prohibits Wyoming law enforcement from assisting federal authorities in the regulation of firearms, firearm accessories, magazines, and ammunition. The measure allows an individual to sue a police department or responsible entity up to $50,000 if their Second Amendment rights are violated.
Opponents of the bill feared it would prevent officers from working with federal agents in domestic‑violence cases where an armed offender has lost their federal right to possess a firearm. During House debate, Uinta County Representative Robert Wharff said the bill does not prevent officers from responding to any crimes, including domestic violence.
Representative Wharff said the bill clearly only applies to federal laws that limit gun ownership.
The House of Representatives passed Senate File 101 on a vote of 40 to 21. The bill then moved to the Senate, which also approved it, and advanced to Governor Mark Gordon’s desk.
Governor Gordon’s vetoed Senate File 101 on Monday. The governor cited serious issues raised by the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police about how the bill may limit cooperation between local agencies and federal law enforcement. Officials in the Trump Administration raised similar concerns, warning that the legislation could weaken joint efforts to combat violent crime, firearms trafficking, and drug cartel activity.
The acting Director of ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons sent Governor Gordon a three-page letter outlining his objections to the bill. Lyons wrote that the legislation undermines law enforcement by exposing law enforcement to criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and steep penalties for cooperating with federal firearm investigations.
Instead of empowering officers to do their jobs, Lyons wrote that the bill would force them to second‑guess their decisions whenever firearms were involved.
In his veto letter, Governor Gordon made his frustration with Senate File 101 clear. The governor wrote that the bill originated at the behest of what the governor called “out‑of‑state snake oil salesmen” who, he stated, had convinced lawmakers that elected sheriffs would comply with any federal gun‑seizing efforts. The governor wrote that sheriffs, chiefs of police, and state law enforcement officials all testified against Senate File 101. Governor Gordon accused lawmakers of either willfully ignoring their concerns or blindly obeying those who disparage them, adding that he is “sickened” to see Wyoming’s law enforcement officers treated in such a manner.
The governor noted that Wyoming strongly supports the Second Amendment, but cautioned that the bill could create serious unintended consequences for law enforcement and public safety.
With his veto, Governor Gordon formally returned Senate File 101 to the legislature. Both the Wyoming House and Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote to override the governor’s veto.
