Mississippi: Multiple NRA-Backed Bills Introduced in the House and Senate

Several pro-Second Amendment bills have been introduced in Mississippi this session and will begin to make their way through the legislative process.   Please see below for a brief summary of these NRA-backed bills: 

House Concurrent Resolution 30 by state Representatives Carpenter (R-1), Busby (R-111), et al, would provide for a state Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment.  Fourteen states, including the neighboring states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee have adopted constitutional amendments protecting the right to hunt and fish using traditional means and methods, while preserving the authority of the legislative bodies and relevant state agencies to promote wildlife conservation and management.  If passed by the Mississippi Legislature, HC 30 would appear before voters on the November 2012 ballot.  This legislation has been referred to the House Constitution Committee.

House Bill 455, authored by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-77), and Senate Bill 2499, authored by state Senator Sean Tindell (R-49), would repeal the state recordkeeping requirement for Federally Licensed Firearm Dealers (FFLs).  Federal law requires licensed dealers to keep detailed records of sale and limits the release of this information to cases where bona fide criminal investigations are taking place.  Similar state requirements – which allow the general public to view records on law-abiding gun purchasers are redundant, costly and unnecessary.  These bills are similar to legislation enacted in 2002 which repealed the recordkeeping requirement for ammunition sales. HB 455 has been referred to the House Judiciary B Committee and SB 2499 has been referred to Senate Judiciary B Committee.

House Bill 695 by state Representative John Moore (R-60) and Senate Bill 2375 by state Senator Chris McDaniel (R-42) would expand Mississippi’s recognition to include all valid out-of-state Carry Permits.  Mississippi’s concealed carry law and administrative rules provide for written agreements recognizing concealed carry permits from states that, in turn, agree to recognize Mississippi carry permits.  However, some other states’ agencies lack the authority to enter into such written agreements and Mississippi has not responded to overtures made by other states’ agencies that do have such authority.  These measures would eliminate some of the bureaucratic hurdles and facilitate recognition of as many states as possible, benefitting permit holders both in and out of Mississippi.  HB 695 has been referred to the House Judiciary B Committee and SB 2375 has been referred to Senate Judiciary B Committee.

House Bill 627 by state Representative Gary Chism (R-37) and Senate Bill 2435 by state Senator Joey Fillingane (R-41) seek to prohibit local taxpayer-funded gun buyback programs.  Local governments hosting these events, which often result in the destruction of functioning and serviceable firearms, is an irresponsible waste of taxpayer dollars.  This legislation would end participation in such programs – unless the city or county or state agency agrees to auction off collected firearms to federally-licensed dealers in accordance with procedures in current law that allow police departments and sheriffs’ offices to do the same with guns seized in connection with crimes.  HB 627 has been referred to House Judiciary B Committee and SB 2435 is currently in Senate Judiciary B Committee.

House Bill 353, the Honesty in Purchasing Firearms Act, was authored by state Representative Bill Denny (R-64) and has been referred to House Judiciary B Committee.  This bill, based on Virginia law and national ALEC model legislation, makes it a felony to knowingly deceive a licensed firearm dealer in order to purchase or transfer firearms.  New York City Mayor and billionaire gun control activist Michael Bloomberg, in an effort to blame states with less stringent firearms laws on his city’s crime problems, has hired unauthorized non-commissioned personnel to attend out-of-state gun shows and attempt to engage licensed dealers and private sellers in what appear to be unlawful sales.  HB 353 would make these so-called “undercover sting” operations -- which interfere with legitimate in-state and federal law enforcement policing of transactions and vendors at these events – illegal to conduct. 

Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you on the status of the bills listed above throughout this 2012 Legislative Session.

To view a list of the state Representatives on the above committees, please click here.  To view a list of the state Senators on the above committees, please click here.  All legislators may be reached by calling (601) 359-3770.