SD 3 adopts conceal-carry policy

Months of research, internal debate and public input culminated Tuesday, Sept. 9 in the Big Horn County School District No. 3 board’s adoption of a conceal-carry policy for its employees and volunteers.

The vote to pass on second reading was 6-1, with Trustee Lynette Murray casting the lone vote of dissent.

“I respect the time, effort and work that’s gone into this policy, but I oppose the law,” Murray said. She compared the law to “a gaping wound,” adding that any policy the district creates “is like applying a Band Aid” to treat it. In other words, an exercise in futility.

The new policy can be found in its entirety at www.greybullschools.com. Here are some of its key provisions:

• Employees and designated volunteers much provide proof of a current, valid conceal carry permit issued by the state and submit proof that he or she completed the required training.

• Initial training requirements include 16 hours of live-fire handgun training, a minimum of eight hours of scenario-based training using nonlethal firearms and ammunition.  After the first year, the requirement would be eight hours of live-fire and scenario-based training.

 • The policy states that employees are solely responsible for the cost of training, but that they can turn in receipts for training to the school district.  The district may, but is not required to reimburse the employee for all or any part of the training expenses,” reads the policy.

• Only handguns are permitted and they must be on the authorized individual’s person or in a locked, biometric container or lock box that is secured under the direct control of the employee.  The concealed firearm must be removed from the school district property when school closures are greater than five consecutive work days.  

• A firearm may only be discharged “if the authorized individual reasonably perceives an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others.  Use of force must comply with all applicable state and federal laws.”

• Authorized individuals’ identities shall remain confidential, with the superintendent only required to notify local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction and relevant school administrators.

• Any employee or volunteer who fails to comply with this policy, or any applicable law or regulation, or misuses a firearm will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or removal from volunteer service. 

While Murray was the only board member who voted against the policy, some others voiced reservations about doing so before siding with the majority.

“There’s no perfect rule in this situation, but I feel like we’ve done the best we could do,” said Trustee Pam Flitner, adding, “If we follow this, hopefully our kids and school will be safe.”

Murray reiterated a point she’s made in recent months, saying, “If the general public can come in carrying concealed weapons, we’re telling our staff they have to have more training ... they have fewer rights than the general public.”

Trustee Mart Hinckley concurred. “We got this thing shoved down our throat and I’m not happy about it,” he said.

Trustee Bill Robertson said the district provided more opportunities for public input for this policy than it had for any other policy.

“I want to express my appreciation to those who have come forward, expressing their support or concerns about (the proposed policy),” Robertson said. “I recognized Mart and Lynn’s concerns; hopefully our employees will be the best trained permit carriers they can be, if they choose to be.

“I hope they rise above the standards of the general public and those concerns that were brought up by the public regarding activities we have no control over.”

Chair Bette Rae Jones said she was satisfied with the new policy and detailed how it checked all the boxes districts were asked to address in response to the legislation.

Trustee Mike Whaley had the final say before the vote. 

“I don’t think anything’s been shoved down our throat,” Whaley said. “In 1991, a law was made in the Bush administration that took away the rights of law-abiding citizens. In 2025, the Wyoming Legislature is saying, ‘We’re giving those rights back to citizens,’ and I’m going to celebrate them.”