Committee Moves Bills to Permit Guns in Schools

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill that would allow Wyoming citizens who hold concealed weapons permits to carry guns on public school and college campuses has cleared its first committee hearing.

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced the bill, sponsored by Rep. Allen Jaggi, R-Lyman. He says the bill is intended to increase school safety.

Jaggi and other witnesses testified that the only solution for mounting school violence is to have trained, armed people in schools ready to defend themselves and helpless students.

The committee also voted to advance another bill that would strengthen the state law that prohibits local governments and public officials from imposing their own gun control measures.

The committee later Tuesday is set to consider a bill that would pre-empt any federal crackdown on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.