Understanding Local Gun Law Changes and Your Rights

In a world where the Second Amendment continues to come under attack from all sides, it’s no surprise that communities like Lingle, Wyoming, are considering changes to local gun laws. While local leadership claims these changes are in the name of “public safety,” the reality is more complex—and more concerning to supporters of constitutional gun rights. The recent public safety discussion in Lingle is just one example of a trend spreading across small towns in America, where our trusted freedoms are quietly chipped away in the guise of community protection.

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we believe it’s our duty not only to provide top-tier firearms training but also to stand firmly for our rights under the Constitution. The ongoing conversation in Lingle is a powerful reminder of why it’s more important than ever to stay educated, prepared, and engaged.

The Talk of “Public Safety” Is Often a Smoke Screen

Lingle Mayor Billy Barron and town officials are revisiting local gun ordinances, suggesting that updates may be necessary for “safety in public spaces.” While this might sound reasonable on the surface, one doesn’t need to look far beneath the surface to see the real implications.

According to the recent article from the Torrington Telegram, council members reviewed a proposal to define where loaded firearms could be carried within town limits, highlighting areas such as public buildings and parks. But here’s the thing—Wyoming already has robust state-level protections for lawful gun owners. So what’s the point of a local ordinance if not to undermine these statewide protections?

The truth is, these ordinances rarely stop criminals—but they absolutely make life harder for law-abiding gun owners.

State Preemption Laws Exist for a Reason

In Wyoming, as in many states across the country, there are significant preemption laws designed specifically to prevent localities from enacting their own restrictive gun rules. These state-level protections exist to maintain consistency across county and municipal lines so that responsible gun owners don’t become accidental criminals when traveling from one town to the next.

However, cities like Lingle are now toeing a dangerously thin line between local governance and illegal overreach. Even their own legal advisor, Town Attorney Greg Knudsen, emphasized that any local rules must remain in compliance with state law. That’s not some bureaucratic red tape—it’s a safeguard for our freedom.

Let’s Not Forget: The Second Amendment Isn’t Up for Negotiation

For too long, the term “common-sense gun reform” has been used by anti-gun advocates to chip away at our rights. The problem is, this language is loaded—pun intended. It frames every gun owner as a problem when, in truth, responsibly armed citizens are often the first line of defense in a crisis.

Ask yourself: When was the last time a new gun law stopped a criminal? Criminals by definition do not follow laws. What these added restrictions do is burden good people with more hoops to jump through while doing nothing to address actual violent crime.

Why Training and Education Matter

Here at Fortress Firearms Training, we believe knowledge is power. If local governments are going to start implementing new restrictions—or even think about doing so—it’s critical that gun owners understand exactly what their rights are and how to protect themselves both physically and legally.

Being a responsible gun owner doesn’t just mean owning a firearm. It means getting trained, staying informed, and knowing where you’re legally permitted to carry. Our comprehensive firearm training programs in Fountain Inn, SC, do more than teach you how to aim and shoot—they give you the knowledge and confidence to navigate these increasingly murky waters.

• Concealed Carry Permit Training – Understand your rights under South Carolina law and learn how to responsibly carry.
• Situational Awareness Courses – Stay sharp in public and protect your loved ones with proactive preparedness skills.
• Legal Education Seminars – Gain clarity on your constitutional protections and the latest in legal developments.

A Better Approach to Public Safety

Trying to legislate safety through disarmament is a losing strategy. Instead of restricting where law-abiding citizens can carry their firearms, we should be encouraging responsible ownership and thorough training. Empowering citizens to protect themselves isn’t just about freedom—it’s the most tangible form of public safety we have.

The effort in Lingle to reconsider gun laws under the guise of safety is part of a pattern. And it’s exactly why firearms training facilities like ours exist.

If local governments truly want safer communities, they should be partnering with firearms instructors, not targeting the very people who follow the law. Every time we focus on restricting rights instead of addressing criminal behavior, we move one step closer to a society where law-abiding citizens are defenseless against those with no regard for the law.

Stand Up and Get Involved

Let’s not wait for the laws to change before we act. As citizens, we need to make our voices heard—not only at the ballot box but in town meetings, on social media, and through continued education. The best safeguard against unjust laws is an informed and engaged public.

• Attend local town council meetings and voice your support for the Second Amendment.
• Encourage community representatives to focus on punishment for actual crimes, not preemptive laws against law-abiding citizens.
• Join pro-Second Amendment organizations and training facilities to stay connected and informed.

Final Word

At the end of the day, what’s happening in Lingle isn’t just a local concern—it’s part of a national battle over the values and freedoms that have defined America since her founding. Every small town ordinance passed with the justification of “public safety” has the potential to set a precedent. And if we stay silent, that precedent becomes law.

Stay informed. Stay trained. Stay free.

Learn more about responsible firearm education and legal firearm ownership at Fortress Firearms Training. Together, we can protect our freedoms and prepare for whatever may come.