HB0303

Amends the Second Amendment Protection Act to create civil liability for governmental entities and peace officers that enforce federal firearms regulations, and provides exceptions to Wyoming's governmental immunity.

• Creates a statutory basis for governmental liability under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act for violations of the Second Amendment Protection Act's prohibition on enforcing federal firearms regulations. (W.S. 1-39-124)
• Allows injured parties to bring civil actions against governmental entities, state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement agencies for damages resulting from knowing violations of federal firearms enforcement prohibitions, with courts authorized to impose civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. (W.S. 9-14-204(a))
• Eliminates sovereign immunity as an affirmative defense in civil actions brought under the Second Amendment Protection Act amendments. (W.S. 9-14-204(b))
• Extends the Second Amendment Protection Act's prohibitions to peace officers, in addition to public officers, defining peace officers consistent with Wyoming law. (W.S. 9-14-203(b), W.S. 9-14-203(c), W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv))
• Clarifies that the Second Amendment Protection Act does not prevent peace officers from providing assistance to federal authorities for purposes other than enforcing federal firearms regulations, or prevent governmental entities from accepting federal law enforcement funding. (W.S. 9-14-203(b))
• Establishes misdemeanor penalties of up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine up to $2,000 for peace officers who knowingly violate the prohibition on enforcing federal firearms regulations. (W.S. 9-14-203(c))
• Updates the definition section of the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to include the new provisions related to Second Amendment Protection. (W.S. 1-39-103(a)(ix))
• Modifies the governmental immunity statute to create exceptions for violations of the Second Amendment Protection Act amendments. (W.S. 1-39-104(a))

Effective: July 1, 2025