Sheridan College Adopts New Firearms And Weapons Policy To Comply With New State Law

In less than 2 weeks, Wyoming House Bill 172, also known as the Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, will take effect, and the Sheridan College Board Of Trustees has put together a policy for the school.

At Tuesday’s meeting (June 17th), the board passed on second reading, policy #3050, which allows exceptions regarding the prohibition of possession, use or storage of firearms and any other dangerous weapons on all properties owned, leased, and/or controlled by the College.

Exceptions are for those who have a concealed carry permit, and those who are registered through the College’s Campus Safety Office to store long guns in a designated storage space.

Law Enforcement personnel are also granted an exception from the new policy, as well as those who have been granted an exception for official college business and/or college approved academic activities, provided that advance written approval is obtained and all safety protocols are followed.

College President Dr. Walter Tribley says the policy makes the college compliant with the new law, but has some frustrations with how to enforce it, and with how to deal with an accidental discharge of a firearm.

“We’re not law enforcement security personnel, we are not going to go up to anybody and say ‘Excuse me sir, I can see the outline of the firearm underneath your jacket there, would you please cover that up.’ So those are the parts of the law that are very challenging. When the law is being formulated, I’m looking at that and saying how on Earth are we going to enforce some of that?”

The Board did strike down a part of the policy that said the Board directs and authorizes the President to develop procedures regarding the implementation of the policy.

Click here to read more about House Bill 172