Yesterday, the Mississippi House Judiciary Committee approved legislation that will make important changes to correct vague and problematic language in Mississippi’s firearm carry laws. House Bill 2, introduced by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-Brandon) addresses a recent opinion by state Attorney General Jim Hood (D) that has caused additional confusion and concern among carry permit holders and Second Amendment advocates. This bill is now eligible for a vote in the full House of Representatives, so please contact your state Representative today and encourage his or her support of this positive improvement to Mississippi law!
If passed and enacted, House Bill 2 would help to eliminate the confusion by striking the phrase “in whole or in part” after the word “concealed” where it appears in Section 97-37-1 of Mississippi law prohibiting the carrying of certain firearms or other deadly weapons. It would also more clearly define the term “concealed” for carry permit holders and non-permittees. For more information on the proposed reforms in the Magnolia State, click here.
State Senator Giles Ward (R-Louisville) has also introduced a companion bill to HB 2, Senate Bill 2212, which has been referred to the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee. This NRA-backed legislation would accomplish the same goals as HB 2.
Although a date has not been scheduled for a vote, please begin contacting your state Representative and urge him or her to support HB 2 and to oppose any amendments not acceptable to the bill sponsor. Also, please contact members of the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee and urge them to support SB 2212.
Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee Members:
Senator Giles Ward – Chairman
Phone: (601) 359-3250
gkward@senate.ms.gov
Senator Angela Burks Hill – Vice Chairman
Phone: (601) 359-3226
ahill@senate.ms.gov
Senator Gary Jackson
Phone: (601) 359-3234
gjackson@senate.ms.gov
Senator Sampson Jackson II
Phone: (601) 359-2886
sjackson@senate.ms.gov
Senator Chris Massey
Phone: (601) 359-2886
cmassey@senate.ms.gov
Senator Chris McDaniel
Phone: (601) 359-2395
cmcdaniel@senate.ms.gov
Senator Philip Moran
Phone: (601) 359-3252
pmoran@senate.ms.gov
Senator Derrick T. Simmons
Phone: (601) 359-3221
dsimmons@senate.ms.gov
Senator Bill Stone
Phone: (601) 359-3221S
bstone@senate.ms.gov
Senator Gary Tollison
Phone: (601) 359-3244
gtollison@senate.ms.gov
Senator Michael Watson
Phone: (601) 359-2395
mwatson@senate.ms.gov