CHEYENNE (AP) -- The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would specify that the governor and other officials don't have authority to confiscate guns from law-abiding citizens in the event of natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

Rep. Allen Jaggi, R-Lyman, is the main bill sponsor. He said he was inspired to sponsor the bill by the confiscation of guns by New Orleans police in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Jaggi said he believes Wyoming needs the bill because the federal government is trying to register and license gun owners in the country. He says bills prohibiting gun confiscation already have passed in more than 20 other states.