Wyoming Concealed Carry - How to CCW In Wyoming

Wyoming is one of the most permissive concealed carry states in the country. Under W.S. 6-8-104, any U.S. resident who is legally allowed to possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon in Wyoming without a permit — and that includes visitors from other states, not just Wyoming residents. Optional Concealed Firearm Permits (CFPs) remain available for those who need reciprocity when traveling to other states.

This guide is written for Wyoming residents planning to carry, out-of-state visitors wondering whether they need a permit, and current CFP holders who want to understand where carry is restricted. It covers current law as of early 2026, including the 2024 legislative update affecting school-zone carry rules.

Laws in this area can change. Always verify current requirements with official state sources before making any carry decisions.

Is Concealed Carry Legal in Wyoming?

Yes - both permitless (constitutional) and permitted concealed carry are legal in Wyoming.

W.S. 6-8-104(a) technically makes it an offense to carry a concealed deadly weapon, but the statute immediately lists exemptions that cover the vast majority of law-abiding adults. The key exemption for permitless carry — W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) — applies to any person who does not hold a permit but is a U.S. resident and meets the same eligibility requirements that would apply to a permit holder.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) confirms that Wyoming "allows any US resident that is legally allowed to possess firearms to carry concealed in the State without a concealed firearms permit."

Who may carry without a permit:

• Any U.S. resident (resident or non-resident of Wyoming)
• Must meet all statutory eligibility requirements under W.S. 6-8-104(b)(ii)–(vi), (viii), and (ix)
• Must not be a prohibited person under state or federal law
• Permitless concealed carry requires age 21+; 18-20 need a provisional CFP (age lowered to 18 by HB96 eff. July 1, 2026).

Open carry: Wyoming does not require a permit for open carry. No minimum age is prescribed by Wyoming statute for open carry of a handgun, though federal law and other restrictions apply.

Concealed Firearm Permits in Wyoming

Wyoming's CFP program has been in place since 1994 and currently has over 30,000 active permit holders. While a permit is not required to carry in Wyoming, there are practical reasons to obtain one.

Permit name: Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP), issued under W.S. 6-8-104.

Issuing authority:

The Wyoming Attorney General, with applications processed through the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and submitted to the local county sheriff's office.

Training requirement:

Applicants must demonstrate familiarity with a firearm, which can be satisfied by completing a certified firearms safety or training course (NRA-certified or Wyoming law enforcement academy), participating in organized shooting competition, military service, or honorable retirement as a peace officer with ten or more years of service, among other options. Note: Permitless carriers are not required to demonstrate firearms familiarity — this is a permit-specific requirement.

Validity period:

5 years from the date of issuance. DCI does not send renewal notices; permit holders are responsible for tracking their own expiration dates.

Resident requirements:

Standard permit applicants must be U.S. residents and Wyoming residents for at least six months. This six-month residency requirement is waived for applicants who already hold a valid permit from a state that recognizes Wyoming CFPs.

Non-resident permits:

Wyoming does not generally issue CFPs to non-residents. Non-residents carry in Wyoming either under their home-state permit (if that state has reciprocity with Wyoming) or under Wyoming's permitless carry provision.

Ages 18–20 (provisional permits):

HB96 (2026) amends W.S. 6-8-104 to allow standard CFP issuance to 18+ (eff. July 1, 2026), replacing prior discretionary provisional process for under-21, after completing all requirements and typically with a written recommendation from the county sheriff. This is a higher bar than standard permitting — under-21 applicants cannot rely on a straightforward shall-issue process.

Why get a CFP even if you can carry without one?

• Enables concealed carry in other states that recognize Wyoming's permit under reciprocity agreements
• Exempts the holder from the federal background check requirement at the point of a firearm purchase under the Brady Act's permanent permit chart
• Provides documented proof of eligibility that can be useful in law enforcement encounters

Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Wyoming

Permitless carry does not mean unrestricted carry. W.S. 6-8-104(t) lists specific prohibited locations that apply to all authorized carriers — whether carrying under a permit, a reciprocal permit, or Wyoming's permitless carry provision.

Statutory prohibited locations under W.S. 6-8-104(t):

• Law enforcement facilities — Any facility used primarily for law enforcement operations or administration, without written consent from the chief administrator.
• Detention facilities — Any detention facility, prison, or jail.
• Courtrooms — Any courtroom. A judge may carry, or may authorize who else may carry in their courtroom, but the general public may not.
• Elementary and secondary schools — Any elementary or secondary school facility, subject to the policy exceptions in W.S. 21-3-132 (see below). Also applies to school-sponsored activities at school property or at the activity's location.
• Any place prohibited by federal law — W.S. 6-8-104(t) explicitly incorporates federal restrictions, meaning all federally prohibited locations (federal buildings, post offices, etc.) are independently covered under Wyoming law as well.

School carry exceptions under W.S. 21-3-132:

Wyoming school districts may adopt policies allowing designated personnel or volunteers who hold a valid Wyoming CFP — and have received superintendent approval — to carry on school property. This is a district-level decision, not a blanket exception. Carriers should not assume any school allows concealed carry without verifying the specific district's policy.

Signage and private property:

Wyoming does not prescribe a mandatory sign format for firearms prohibitions. However, DCI guidance states that both permit holders and permitless carriers must obey posted signs and the wishes of property owners.

Carrying on private property after receiving notice that firearms are prohibited can form the basis of trespass charges, regardless of whether the carrier is otherwise lawfully armed under W.S. 6-8-104.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Wyoming

Wyoming recognizes permits from states with mutual recognition. 

Under W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iii), a permit holder from another state may carry concealed in Wyoming if their permit is valid statewide in the issuing state and that state recognizes Wyoming CFPs.

Wyoming currently has reciprocity with the following states: 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.

Both resident and non-resident permits qualify for reciprocity recognition, provided the permit is valid statewide and the issuing state recognizes Wyoming CFPs.

Visitors from non-reciprocal states:

A permit holder from a state not on Wyoming's reciprocity list cannot carry under their home-state permit. However, they may still carry concealed in Wyoming without any permit if they meet Wyoming's statutory eligibility requirements for permitless carry — since that provision applies to any qualified U.S. resident, not just Wyoming residents.

Wyoming CFP recognition by other states:

DCI tracks which states honor Wyoming's permit, and that list is subject to change as states update their own laws. Some states recognize Wyoming CFPs with conditions — for example, only for Wyoming residents, or with higher minimum age requirements than Wyoming imposes.

Wyoming residents planning to carry in another state should contact that state directly or check the current DCI reciprocity page before traveling.

Key asymmetry:

Wyoming's reciprocity statute requires mutual recognition — Wyoming only honors another state's permit if that state honors Wyoming's. This is a different structure from states that unilaterally recognize all other permits regardless of reciprocity.

Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Wyoming

Wyoming's permitless carry framework does not override federal law, and W.S. 6-8-104(t) explicitly incorporates federal prohibitions as a separate prohibited-location category.

Federal facilities:

18 U.S.C. § 930 prohibits firearms in federal buildings, federal courthouses, and federal office buildings. U.S. Postal Service regulations additionally prohibit firearms on postal property. A Wyoming CFP or permitless carry authorization provides no exception to these federal rules.

Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (GFSZA):

18 U.S.C. § 922(q) restricts possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a K-12 school. Exceptions exist for individuals on private property within that radius, for unloaded firearms in locked containers, and for persons with a qualifying state-issued license.

Wyoming's CFP is the relevant license for this federal exception — meaning permitless carriers who lack a CFP do not benefit from the state-license exemption to the GFSZA's 1,000-foot restriction.

Interstate transportation:

18 U.S.C. § 926A governs how firearms may be transported across state lines. When traveling to, from, or through states that do not recognize Wyoming's carry rights, firearms must be unloaded and stored in a locked container, with ammunition stored separately or inaccessibly. Wyoming's permitless carry rights do not extend beyond Wyoming's borders.

Recent Legal Changes and Trends

2024 HB0125 — Prohibited location updates:

The 2024 legislative session amended W.S. 6-8-104 through HB0125, refining the prohibited-locations list with particular attention to school facilities and clarifying the interaction between the concealed carry statute and W.S. 21-3-132, which governs individual school district firearms policies. This was a clarifying amendment, not a rollback of carry rights.

2025 HB0174 — Age provisions:

The 2025 session introduced HB0174, which proposes adjustments to how Wyoming handles permit issuance for 18-to-20-year-old applicants. This reflects an ongoing legislative trend toward more explicit statutory treatment of under-21 carry rather than relying on the "reasonable, prudent person" standard alone. 

2021 non-resident expansion (still in effect):

Wyoming's 2021 amendment to W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) extended permitless carry to non-residents who would otherwise qualify for a Wyoming permit. This expansion remains in force and is central to how out-of-state visitors legally carry in Wyoming today. Prior to 2021, permitless carry applied primarily to Wyoming residents.

No judicial rollbacks:

As of early 2026, no Wyoming Supreme Court decisions have struck down the state's permitless carry or CFP framework. Legislative activity has consistently expanded or refined carry rights rather than restricting them.

Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Wyoming

"Only Wyoming residents can carry without a permit."

False. W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) applies to any U.S. resident who meets Wyoming's statutory eligibility requirements. DCI explicitly confirms that Wyoming allows "any US resident" who is legally permitted to possess firearms to carry concealed without a permit. The 2021 amendment that extended this right to non-residents remains fully in effect.

"Anyone 18 and older can carry concealed without a permit in Wyoming."

Mostly false. The standard framework for permitless carry tracks with the permit eligibility structure, which is built around age 21 and older. Individuals between 18 and 20 who want to carry concealed must apply for a provisional CFP, which requires meeting all standard requirements plus a positive determination that a reasonable, prudent person would believe issuance is warranted — often including input from the county sheriff.

"Permitless carry means there are no restrictions on where I can carry."

False. W.S. 6-8-104(t) applies equally to permitless carriers, CFP holders, and those carrying under reciprocity. Law enforcement facilities, jails, courtrooms, and elementary/secondary schools (outside district-approved exceptions) remain prohibited locations regardless of how the carrier is authorized to carry.

"Reciprocity doesn't matter because visitors can carry without a permit anyway."

Partially misleading. Wyoming's permitless carry provision does benefit visitors from states without reciprocity, but it requires meeting Wyoming's eligibility criteria. Additionally, the reciprocity framework still matters for Wyoming residents traveling to other states — the CFP is what enables Wyoming carriers to be recognized in 36+ other states.

"A 'no guns' sign in Wyoming has no legal force."

False. While Wyoming does not mandate a specific sign format or statute specifically addressing signage, DCI guidance confirms that property owners may prohibit firearms and that all carriers — permitted or not — must comply with posted restrictions and owner instructions. Violating this can lead to trespass charges.

Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Wyoming

Vehicles: Wyoming law does not separately restrict a lawfully armed person from keeping a firearm in their vehicle. A qualified U.S. resident who meets Wyoming's permitless carry criteria may have a concealed firearm in their vehicle without a permit.

However, this does not override prohibitions at specific locations — you cannot drive onto school property or into a law enforcement facility parking area and retain access to a concealed firearm in violation of W.S. 6-8-104(t).

Brady Act benefit of the CFP: Holding a valid Wyoming CFP qualifies as a "permit" under the federal Brady Act's permanent Brady permit chart, which means CFP holders can purchase firearms from licensed dealers without undergoing a separate background check at the point of sale. This is a practical benefit that the permitless carry option does not provide.

Duty to inform: Wyoming does not have a statutory duty-to-inform law requiring carriers to proactively disclose the presence of a firearm to law enforcement. However, carrying your CFP and a government-issued ID during armed encounters with law enforcement is advisable practice.

Federal land: Wyoming contains significant federal land — including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and various Bureau of Land Management and National Forest areas. The rules for carrying on federal land vary: national parks generally follow state law for carrying in non-developed areas, but specific buildings and visitor centers are federal facilities subject to 18 U.S.C. § 930. Verify current rules for any specific federal property before carrying there.

Permit applications: Applications are available through the DCI and must be submitted to the county sheriff's office where the applicant resides. Payment requirements vary by county. Personal checks and cash sent directly to DCI are not accepted. Application status can be checked in real time at the Wyoming CFP online portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carry a pistol in my car in Wyoming?

Yes. A qualified U.S. resident who meets Wyoming's permitless carry eligibility requirements may keep a concealed firearm in their vehicle without a permit. Qualified carriers may keep concealed firearms loaded/accessible in personal vehicles; no state storage mandate beyond prohibited locations. However, prohibited-location restrictions apply — you cannot access or carry a concealed firearm in violation of W.S. 6-8-104(t) simply because you are in a vehicle.

Is Wyoming an open carry state?

Yes. Wyoming does not require a permit for open carry of a handgun. Open carry is generally lawful throughout the state, subject to the same prohibited-location restrictions that apply to concealed carry (schools, courtrooms, jails, law enforcement facilities, and federal property). Federal restrictions such as the Gun-Free School Zones Act apply equally to open carry.

Can I bring my gun across state lines into Wyoming?

If you are a qualified U.S. resident, you may carry concealed in Wyoming without a permit once you cross into the state — Wyoming's law applies at the border. However, any states you travel through to reach Wyoming have their own laws. Under 18 U.S.C. § 926A, when transiting states where your carry is not authorized, firearms must be unloaded and in a locked container. Plan your route carefully if traveling from a non-reciprocal state.

Did Wyoming remove gun-free zones?

No. Wyoming has not eliminated its prohibited-locations list. W.S. 6-8-104(t) still identifies law enforcement facilities, jails, courtrooms, and elementary/secondary school facilities as locations where concealed carry is prohibited for all persons — including permitless carriers. The 2024 HB0125 refined these provisions rather than eliminating them.

How strict are gun laws in Wyoming?

Wyoming has among the most permissive concealed carry laws in the country, allowing any qualified U.S. resident to carry concealed without a permit. The state does not require permits, mandatory training, or registration for general carry. However, "permissive" does not mean unrestricted — specific prohibited locations, federal overlays, and private property rights all place meaningful limits on where carry is lawful.

Do you need a concealed carry permit in Wyoming?

No, if you are a U.S. resident who would otherwise qualify for a permit under W.S. 6-8-104. A permit remains valuable for reciprocity in other states and for the Brady Act purchase benefit, but it is not legally required to carry concealed in Wyoming.

Can a non-resident carry concealed in Wyoming?

Yes, in two ways. Non-residents whose home state has reciprocity with Wyoming may carry on their home-state permit. All other qualified U.S. residents — including those from non-reciprocal states — may carry without any permit under Wyoming's permitless carry provision, provided they meet Wyoming's eligibility criteria.

 

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Wyoming concealed carry law is subject to legislative change, regulatory updates, and court interpretation. Always verify current requirements with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation or a licensed Wyoming attorney before making any carry decisions.