No. Wyoming has been a constitutional-carry state since July 1, 2011. Effective July 1, 2021 (HB 21), the permitless-carry framework extends to any...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
No. Wyoming has been a constitutional-carry state since July 1, 2011. Effective July 1, 2021 (HB 21), the permitless-carry framework extends to any United States citizen 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm, not just Wyoming residents. The statutory basis is Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-104(a)(iv).
The Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) offers practical benefits even though it is not legally required:
Yes. Wyoming recognizes every valid concealed-carry permit issued by any other state under Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-104(a)(iv). You may carry concealed in Wyoming under your home-state permit.
Yes. Wyoming honors all valid out-of-state permits without distinguishing resident vs. non-resident.
Apply with the sheriff of your county of residence. The sheriff fingerprints you and forwards the packet to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), which issues the permit. See APPLICATION_PROCESS.
See FEES_COSTS.
Five years from the date of issuance. Renewable.
Statutory ceiling: 60 days from DCI's receipt. Typical wall-clock turnaround from sheriff submission: 45 to 90 days. FBI fingerprint processing dominates the timeline.
No. Wyoming has no duty-to-inform statute. As a best practice, keep hands visible during a traffic stop, answer truthfully if asked, and if you hold a CFP, hand the permit card with your driver's license to reduce officer concern. See DUTY_TO_INFORM.
Yes. Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-104(a)(ii) exempts persons "in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance" from the concealed-carry prohibition. The exemption applies to any legally-eligible person 18+. Loaded, accessible, on the person, or anywhere in the vehicle is all lawful. See VEHICLE_CARRY.
After the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act (HB 125/2024, effective July 1, 2024), the state-law list has narrowed significantly. Surviving prohibitions include:
See PROHIBITED_PLACES for the full post-HB 125 framework.
After HB 125 (2024), Wyoming no longer has a categorical statutory ban on concealed carry in establishments licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption. The carrier must remain not-under-the-influence (see UNDER_INFLUENCE). Many bars post against firearms; respect the posting. Constitutional and CFP-holder rights end at "no firearms" posted signs.
Yes. Open carry by any person 18+ legally eligible to possess a firearm is lawful throughout Wyoming. No permit, no notice, no training required. See OPEN_CARRY.
You must demonstrate "familiarity with a firearm" under Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-104(b)(viii). Acceptable proof includes: NRA training certificate, Wyoming hunter safety card, DD-214 (military discharge), certificate from a Wyoming-certified firearms instructor, law enforcement training, or completion of a state or federal agency firearms course. See TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS.
Notify DCI in writing within 60 days of any change of permanent address (Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-104(o)). The permit remains valid through the original expiration date; no need to apply for a new permit due to in-state move.
You may renew up to 6 months before expiration. After expiration, there is a 6-month grace window during which you can renew with the $55 late renewal fee. Beyond 6 months after expiration, you must apply as a new applicant. See RENEWAL_PROCESS.
No. The permitless-carry framework at Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-104(a)(iv) requires United States citizenship. A green-card holder must either: (a) apply for the Wyoming CFP (which does accept lawful permanent residents), or (b) hold a valid permit from a state that issues to LPRs and rely on reciprocity. Open carry is lawful for any 18+ LPR.
You are a prohibited person under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3). Federal law treats marijuana use - including state-legal medical use - as disqualifying for firearm possession. You may not lawfully possess a firearm in Wyoming or anywhere else in the United States. This is a federal felony regardless of state legalization.
Yes. Wyoming permits all federally-registered NFA items (suppressors, SBR, SBS, AOW, DD, transferable machine guns). The federal registration and $200 (or $5 for AOW) tax stamp are required. See NFA_ITEMS.
No. Wyoming has not enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) statute. The Wyoming legislature has considered and rejected ERPO proposals. See RED_FLAG.
Yes. Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-8-401 through 6-8-404 occupies the field of firearm regulation. Cities and counties cannot adopt their own firearm laws beyond narrow discharge regulations and site-specific posting on government property. See PREEMPTION.
Wyo. Stat. Sec. 6-2-602 codifies Stand Your Ground and castle doctrine. A person who is not the initial aggressor and is in a place they have a legal right to be has no duty to retreat. Deadly force is justified to prevent death, serious bodily injury, or the commission of a felony. Civil immunity attaches at Sec. 6-2-602(e) for force found to be lawful. See USE_OF_FORCE and CASTLE_DOCTRINE.
Wyoming has no duty-to-inform. Best practice:
The Wind River Reservation has its own tribal codes. State law generally applies to non-Indians on fee-patent land within the reservation, but tribal authority can be primary in certain on-reservation contexts. Check current tribal regulations before transporting through. See OTHER.
Yes. Wyoming does not specifically ban switchblades, balisongs, or automatic knives. The general concealed-deadly-weapon rules apply, but constitutional carry covers knives as well as firearms.
Yes. Wyoming has no civilian restriction on body armor or stun guns/Tasers. Federal 18 U.S.C. 931 prohibits a violent felon from possessing body armor.
See RESOURCES.
Current as of May 2026.
This page covers one part of our Wyoming concealed carry guide.
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