TORRINGTON – Goshen County School District #1 will hold a public meeting August 12 to consider adopting new rules allowing employees and volunteers to carry concealed firearms on school property, according to a notice posted by the district.

The board of trustees will meet at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at 626 West 25th Street in Torrington to discuss proposed regulations for staff and volunteers who wish to conceal carry firearms while on district property. The meeting comes as Wyoming school districts across the state grapple with implementing policies following the passage of new state legislation.

The proposed rule is a response to the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, which takes effect July 1 and allows Wyoming concealed carry permit holders to lawfully carry a concealed firearm on any property owned or leased by a school district. The law became effective without Governor Mark Gordon’s signature in February after passing through the Wyoming Legislature.

According to the district notice, the proposed rules establish specific requirements for employees and volunteers who choose to carry concealed firearms at school. The principal reason for the proposed rules is “to ensure employees and volunteers who conceal carry firearms are trained and knowledgeable in the safe and proper use of firearms, including the use of firearms in live-fire scenarios.”

The proposed regulations include several key provisions. District employees and volunteers who wish to conceal carry a firearm must possess a valid concealed-carry permit issued by the State of Wyoming. The rules also establish initial firearms training and annual re-training requirements for employees and volunteers who conceal carry firearms.

Under the proposed policy, employees and volunteers must maintain the firearm on their person or in a concealed biometric container or box within their direct control at all times. The rules establish ongoing training requirements, curricula and instructor qualifications for the persons training employees and volunteers. Additionally, the regulations prohibit open carrying of firearms.

State law authorizes school boards to create rules specifically for their employees and volunteers who choose to conceal carry on district property, including establishing training requirements, curricula and instructor qualifications in consultation with local law enforcement.

The district notice states the proposed rules are established by the board to meet minimum substantive state statutory requirements. The district has complied with Wyoming Statute 9-5-304 and determined there are no constitutional implications as described by the law.

Several Wyoming school districts have already approved similar policies, with Teton County school trustees approving a policy in June allowing trained faculty and volunteers to carry concealed firearms onto school property starting in July. Other districts have taken different approaches to the new state law.

Laramie County School District 2 decided not to develop a concealed-carry policy for staff and volunteers, stating any cost, liability and responsibility associated with firearm carry on district property after July 1 will be solely on the individual.

The new legislation builds on a 2017 law signed by former Governor Matt Mead titled “School safety and security” which authorized local school boards to adopt rules allowing school employees with concealed carry permits to possess firearms on school property. Over the past eight years, only a few out of 48 districts implemented such policies.

The statewide change has generated public discussion, with protesters taking to downtown Casper in February to speak out against guns in schools. Districts now confront training decisions, costs and public sentiment as they set new policies for allowing firearms on school property.

The Goshen County school district plans to gather public input before making a final decision. The district will receive public comments on the proposed rules at a public hearing July 16 at 6 p.m. in Torrington. Interested persons may also submit data, views or objections orally or in writing to the district at board meetings or in writing at 626 West 25th Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240, or via email to contactadministrativerulesadoption@goshen1.org.

The notice states interested parties may attend the August 12 Board of Trustees meeting at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at 626 West 25th Street, Torrington, and present their views, comments, objections or requested changes to the proposed rules.

The proposed rules are posted online at the district’s website Goshen1.org and on Facebook and are available at the district’s main office at 626 West 25th Street. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the assessment of the proposed rule pursuant to Wyoming Statute 9-5-304 at the same address.

“The Board of Trustees of the District intends to act on these rules at its meeting on August 12, 2025, at 6 p.m.,” the district notice explained.

The meeting represents part of a broader statewide adjustment as Wyoming school districts implement policies following the repeal of gun-free zones legislation. House Bill 172 allows concealed carry in schools, government buildings and meetings, as well as college and university sporting events without alcohol service.

District officials have indicated the proposed rules are authorized by Wyoming Statute 6-8-105(f) and are designed to protect students and staff of the district while ensuring compliance with new state requirements for concealed carry on school property.