Rep. Charles Pelkey, D-Laramie, said he was pleased by the court’s decision, but had yet to read through their arguments. The statutes, even as amended, carried serious implications, he said.

“It would prevent people from recording quite obvious violations of law on private land,” he said. “If you had a drilling rig that was spewing toxic materials, but those were leaching into the ground before they got to public land, you would be in violation by photographing it. That’s just not right.”

Supporters of the statutes were disappointed by the ruling Thursday.

“It is important to note this decision does not mean the statute is automatically unconstitutional,” said Brett Moline, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation’s director of public and government affairs in a statement Thursday.

Jim Magagna, executive vice president for the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, supports the statutes, but said he believes a solution can still be found that satisfies both sides.

“The court indicated that they have a first amendment concern with it, and I respect that,” he said. “But that’s a difficult thing. First amendment rights, while they are critical, they don’t take precedence over private property rights. We have to deal with this in a way that balances those.”