This week, Governor Phil Bryant approved two NRA-backed bills important to firearms owners in Mississippi. House Bill 695 signed into law on April 17, is a universal recognition bill that will not only allow concealed weapons permit holders from other states to carry in Mississippi, but will also expand the number of states which acknowledge Mississippi permits. Governor Bryant also signed House Bill 455 into law yesterday, legislation which removes the redundant state recordkeeping requirement for licensed firearm dealers. HB 695 will go into effect on July 1, while HB 455 is effective immediately.
House Bill 695, introduced by state Representative John Moore (R-60), requires Mississippi to honor any valid concealed carry permit issued by another state. This bill also grants the state Department of Public Safety continued authority to enter into written reciprocity agreements with other states if those states require such action be taken before recognizing Mississippi carry permits. These changes will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and facilitate recognition between as many states as possible, benefitting permit holders both inside and outside Mississippi.
House Bill 455, introduced by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-77), eliminates an unnecessary and overly-broad state recordkeeping requirement for licensed firearm dealers. Federal law requires licensed dealers to keep detailed records of sale and limits the release of this information to bona fide criminal investigations. Similar state requirements - which allow the general public to view records on law-abiding gun purchasers - are intrusive, costly and unnecessary.
Thank you to members who contacted their state legislators in support of HB 695 and HB 455.
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