Mead Signs Bison Bill

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead Thursday signed the Wild Bison Licenses bill after taking the weeks since the legislative session to consider its provisions.  Mead says he supports both of the provisions in this bill individually and strongly believes the state needs to be prepared to vigorously defend the Second Amendment from overreaching new gun regulations from Congress.  He says he also is keenly aware of the need to reduce the bison population.  However, Mead says the addition of a $250,000 appropriation amendment the Legislature tacked onto the bill did not seem particularly germane to the bill.  Still, says Mead, “because there was only a single appropriation, I had no way to improve the bill by veto.  Left with the choice of vetoing the entire bill or signing it into law, I chose to sign and support the two proposals.”  Mead cautions that bill could open the door for legal challenges, and if that does happen, he hopes the Game and Fish Commission will address the bison hunting issue.  At the same time, Mead pledges to make sure Wyoming is in good position and ready to defend the Second Amendment.