HB0283

Amends the Second Amendment Protection Act to create civil liability for state and local governmental entities and employees who enforce certain federal firearms regulations, and establishes exceptions and definitions for this prohibition.

• Creates liability for governmental entities for damages resulting from violations of the Second Amendment Protection Act's prohibition on enforcing federal firearms regulations. (W.S. 1-39-124)
• Expands the definition of 'this act' in the Second Amendment Protection Act to include the new liability provision. (W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ix))
• Adds exceptions to governmental immunity by allowing liability suits under the Second Amendment Protection Act and related provisions. (W.S. 1-39-104(a))
• Prohibits state and political subdivisions from using state or federal funds to enforce, administer, cooperate with, or provide material aid to federal regulations regarding firearms, firearm accessories, magazines, and ammunition that infringe on Second Amendment rights against law-abiding citizens. (W.S. 9-14-203(a))
• Allows public officers to provide assistance to federal authorities for purposes not identified in the firearms regulation prohibition, and permits Wyoming entities to accept federal assistance for state law enforcement purposes. (W.S. 9-14-203(b))
• Establishes that individuals and agencies violating the prohibition on enforcing federal firearms regulations are liable in civil court for damages, with a mandatory $50,000 civil penalty per violation and potential injunctive relief. (W.S. 9-14-203(c))
• Creates a $50,000 per-employee civil penalty for state, political subdivision, or law enforcement agencies that employ former federal officials or agents who knowingly enforce federal firearms regulations on or after July 1, 2025. (W.S. 9-14-203(d))
• Provides three exceptions to the prohibition: providing aid in pursuit of suspects with criminal nexus to other jurisdictions, providing aid to federal prosecutors for felony drug or violent crime prosecutions with ancillary weapons violations, and accepting federal assistance for state law enforcement.