District No. 4 moves to further restrict concealed carry

45-day comment period opens today

At their July 8 meeting, Big Horn County School District No. 4’s board of trustees took the first steps in tackling the removal of gun-free school zones, which came into effect this month. 

“What we’re asking for is a change to our rule, so it’s actually a little bit stronger than a policy… a rule you have to actually put out for public comment for 45 days,” Superintendent Keith Campbell said in an interview on Monday. 

The new Wyoming state law allows any non-student adult with a concealed carry permit to bring their firearm on campus. The Basin school board last week introduced a board rule to further restrict employees wishing to concealed carry on school grounds, with final approval expected in September or October. 

Campbell explained that the proposed rule came from a template resulting from a county-wide meeting of school district superintendents, board chairs and law enforcement last week. 

“It seemed like all of them were in agreement to not just leave it up to the same open-ended law that was adopted by the state, but place some more specific requirements on those concealed carry personnel within the district,” Campbell said. The proposed template was then modified by Campbell with input from the school board to fit Basin’s needs at last week’s meeting.  

Under the rule, staff and volunteers would need to pass a psychological evaluation conducted by a board and law enforcement-approved provider, submit to a Department of Family Services Central Registry Screening and agree to random drug and alcohol testing in order to concealed carry. 

Required training would include 16 hours of live-fire, eight hours of scenario-based and 12 hours of annual sessions by a local law enforcement-approved instructor. Only handgun and FBI-standard ammunition would be allowed for concealed carry. All expenses would be the responsibility of the applicant.

“Carrying a firearm on District property is voluntary,” the proposed policy reads. “Authorized individuals assume all personal responsibility and liability for their decision to carry and/or use a firearm, including legal consequences.”

Staff authorized to concealed carry would remain confidential, though local law enforcement, school administrators and student guardians would be notified of personnel carrying firearms. Should a firearm be discharged by an employee for any reason, they would be placed on administrative leave pending investigation and be required to immediately submit to drug and alcohol testing at the district’s expense. 

Final approval of applicants would require board action and notification of law enforcement. As presented, the policy will be reviewed annually by the school board. 

Campbell did not expect a rule change to come into effect before the start of the school year, with a 45-day public comment period set to open on Thursday before final school board approval. Until then, state law will rule. 

“I’m happy with where we’re at right now in the process,” Campbell said. “I think we have done what we felt like we needed to do, which was to place more specific requirements on our employees who will concealed carry in our schools.”

The proposed rule will be published on the school district’s website at www.bgh4.org. Public comment can be submitted directly to Campbell at keith.campbell@bgh4.k12.wy.us, by calling the district office at 307-568-2684 or by stopping by  416 South Third Street in Basin.