Casper College approves change to gun policy

CASPER — To align with legislation that goes into effect July 1, Casper College has changed its gun policy to allow concealed carry on campus.

After meeting in various work sessions to hash it out, the college’s board of trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass the policy.

During Tuesday’s work session, the board discussed whether it could add in regulations for how firearms are stored in vehicles on campus.

Zara Mason, an attorney who represents the college, told the board she would not advise the board to add in such language, as state statute does not allow it to regulate storage of firearms unless specified in other statutes.

House Bill 172 does not allow for the college to specifically regulate the display of weapons in private vehicles, Mason said. She said it does allow for the college to regulate the display of firearms on campus and its facilities.

The rewritten policy includes a definition for how firearms can be carried.

“Related to concealed carry, this means that the firearms is in such close proximity to the person that it is readily accessible for prompt use,” according to the policy. “A permittee may carry a holstered firearm in a backpack or handbag, so long as the permittee’s backpack or handbag is within their exclusive control and close enough to the permittee that the permittee can access the firearm promptly.”

A student could leave a handgun on his passenger seat in plain view of the public, and the college could face litigation if it handed out consequences for this, Mason said.

The policy does not allow for open-carry anywhere on campus.

“I’d like to just add that I appreciate Dr. Kosine getting ahead of that issue,” Dave Applegate, board chairman, said. “I think the college has done a good job in developing that policy and working collaboratively with a number of different groups, including the campus itself.”

This story was published on June 19, 2025.