Wyoming Nullifies Anti-Constitutional Federal Gun Laws

Wyoming has joined a growing list of states, including neighboring Tennessee, to pass legislation declaring that federal gun laws are null and void on the soil of their state so long as the gun is manufactured and sold within the boundaries of that state. The feds have long used the constitutional power of Congress to "regulate interstate commerce" as an end-run around the 2nd amendment's prohibition against infringement on the pre-existing right of the people to "keep and bear arms".

Wyoming's law goes further than the others, stating, "Any official, agent or employee of the United States government who enforces or attempts to enforce any act, order, law, statute, rule or regulation of the United States government upon a personal firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Wyoming and that remains exclusively within the borders of Wyoming shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), or both."

The other states have used the American tradition of nullification and interposition to check and balance the federal government, but they simply say that those particular anti-constitutional laws don't have force. Wyoming law says that any federal agent who attempts to enforce such anti-constitutional laws are subject to arrest and jail time.

The states are arguing the same legal theory that Arkansas resident Hollis Wayne Fincher argued, or rather attempted to argue. Judge Hendren shamefully did not permit the man to make that defense in court, so he was, and is, imprisoned after making no defense at all.

Wyoming also passed a sovereignty resolution. Around here, we have lots of posers claiming they are "conservative Democrats". Popular Wyoming Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal is what a real "conservative Democrat" looks like. “For decades we have shared increased frustration dealing with the federal government and its agencies. What started out as a leak in the erosion of state prerogative and independence has today turned into a flood. From wolf and grizzly bear management, to gun control, to endless regulation and unfunded mandates – the federal government has become far too powerful and intrusive.” he said.

The resolution states in part that it claims “sovereignty on behalf of the State of Wyoming and for its citizens under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government or reserved to the people by the Constitution of the United States.”

Ten other states have served notice to the central government by passing similar resolutions.