On June 5–6, 2025, the Firearms Research Center (FRC) at the University of Wyoming College of Law hosted the Seventh Annual Firearms Law Works-in-Progress (WIP) Conference, a premier gathering of scholars working at the intersection of firearms law, policy, history, and public health. This event is part of a long-standing partnership with the Duke Center for Firearms Law, with the two institutions alternating as hosts each year to encourage diverse national, and this year international, participation and collaborative engagement. The conference has become a cornerstone of scholarly development in this field, providing a rigorous but collegial forum for new and developing research projects.
Held in the newly remodeled University of Wyoming College of Law, this year’s event brought together scholars, practitioners, and researchers to share works-in-progress papers to receive critical feedback, and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue. With four structured sessions over two days, the conference explored a wide range of timely issues related to firearm ownership, regulation, constitutional interpretation, and public safety. Consistent with the event’s ethos, each session prioritized constructive critique and open exchange, helping to refine ongoing scholarship while building a strong sense of academic community and collegiality on such a hot button topic.
The conference opened Thursday afternoon with a session focused on public health, safety, and responsible gun ownership. This panel addressed the ethical, cultural, and regulatory dimensions of firearms in American life. Presentations ranged from discussions of virtue ethics and the idea of the “responsible gun owner” in courtroom cases, to critiques of how history and tradition have shaped Second Amendment interpretation—often at the expense of contemporary understandings of youth, trauma, and vulnerability. Scholars examined new research into Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) and how such measures are viewed across different cultural and ideological contexts. Additional work focused on firearms theft and domestic violence, underscoring the need to understand how laws function when confronted with informal or unregulated uses of firearms. Collectively, this session highlighted the complex interplay between legal doctrine, social norms, and individual behavior in shaping firearm-related risks and responsibilities.
Friday’s programming began with a session on technology, use, and regulation, which took a deep dive into how emerging firearm technologies and definitional challenges are pressuring long-standing legal categories. Panelists discussed how evolving interpretations of “common use” and “dangerous and unusual”—core tests in Second Amendment jurisprudence—can be adapted to better reflect modern weapons, practices, and market realities. The legal treatment of suppressors (or silencers) was a key point of debate. What emerged was a discussion for courts to take a more nuanced, historically grounded, and technologically informed approach to firearms regulation, rather than relying on outdated or overly simplistic classifications.
Later in the morning, the focus shifted to federalism, local authority, and constitutional interpretation. This session debated the balance of power between federal, state, and local governments in regulating firearms, particularly in the wake of recent landmark decisions like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. Scholars examined tensions between Second and Tenth Amendment doctrines, exploring how judicial decisions may inadvertently constrain local autonomy while asserting expansive individual rights. Discussions also included critical reevaluations of the Bill of Rights and novel arguments situating the Second Amendment alongside the First in terms of expressive function. One presenter provided an empirical look at how everyday Americans interpret Second Amendment protections, raising questions about public legal understanding and its influence on political engagement. The conversation emphasized that constitutional meaning is not only shaped by courts but also by voters, municipalities, and advocacy movements.
The final session centered on the business of firearms and the intersection with criminal law, offering a mix of historical, economic, and comparative perspectives. Presentations explored how government powers, including taxation, could be used to undermine or entrench firearms access, raising broader questions about the role of financial tools in constitutional enforcement. Other research examined the historical evolution and institutionalization of firearms dealers, revealing the adaptive strategies of industry actors amid changing regulatory climates. A comparative study of Brazil and the United States highlighted different approaches to local regulation and national firearms policy, providing international context for ongoing debates. The session concluded with an exploration of prosecutorial discretion and the political pressures that shape how firearms laws are enforced, emphasizing the critical role of implementation in shaping real-world legal outcomes.
Thursday evening offered a break from academia, with attendees enjoying a rodeo demonstration, featuring an exhibition from University of Wyoming Rodeo Team, BBQ catered by the University’s Food Science Club, a sampling of local Wyoming whiskeys, and wagon rides. It was a memorable opportunity to experience Wyoming hospitality and informally continue the day’s discussions.
In closing, the 2025 Firearms Law WIP Conference once again demonstrated the vitality, complexity, and importance of firearms scholarship. It provides a unique platform for scholarly growth, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and constructive critique. This year’s contributions reflected the ever-evolving landscape of gun law and policy, and the ongoing need for rigorous, evidence-based analysis in both academic and policy spaces. We look forward to the 2026 convening—hosted next year by our colleagues at Duke—and to continuing the dialogue that makes this partnership between the University of Wyoming Firearms Research Center and Duke Center for Firearms Law so essential and impactful.