[CA] California bans [unloaded] gun toting in public

From California, comes this latest infringement:

California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday that he signed into law a measure that bans handgun owners from openly carrying their weapons in public.

Previous regulations had allowed the open carrying of unloaded handguns in public, but police chiefs and sheriffs objected to the rule because people felt frightened when they saw handguns in public places.

“They are tied up dealing with calls from the public about gun-toting men and women in the coffee shop,” California Assemblyman Antony Portantino, who introduced the bill, said last month. “As law enforcement officials tell me, it’s not safe and someone is going to get hurt.” ...

So both loaded and unloaded open carry is now illegal in the Golden State.

Wyoming Governor signs Constitional Carry (permitless carry) reform bill

Wyoming Governor signs Constitutional Carry bill:

... This afternoon, I watched as Governor Mead signed Constitutional Carry into law while saying his office had been clogged with emails and phone calls from people demanding he sign the Jennings-Jaggi Constitutional Carry bill. ...

Article here. Wyoming now joins Alaska, Arizona, and Vermont in no longer requiring permits for lawful concealed carry by law-abiding citizens.

Update 3/5/2011: Here's another article, from the Washington Examiner:

Wyoming on Wednesday became the fourth state to allow citizens to carry concealed guns without a permit, with Gov. Matt Mead signing a bill into law as several other states considered similar action.

The law allows state citizens legally entitled to own guns to carry them concealed starting in July. The guns still wouldn't be allowed in schools, bars and government buildings.

"We have heard from both sides on this, this bill has attracted a lot of attention," Mead said at a signing ceremony at the state Capitol. "But as written, I thought it was an appropriate bill for Wyoming, and an appropriate law for Wyoming."

Similar bills are pending in states including Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Utah. A bill has been introduced in Kentucky but hasn't advanced while another was introduced for discussion in Idaho. ...

Note that the new law, which takes effect July 1, 2011, only applies to Wyoming residents, and not to non-residents such as travelers and visitors to the state. Non-residents will still need a recognized permit to lawfully carry concealed.