Mississippi: NRA-Backed Changes to Carry Laws Take Effect on July 1-- Opponents Launch Efforts to Repeal House Bill 2

In the last several months, your NRA-ILA reported on important changes to Mississippi's gun laws that were adopted by the state Legislature, signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant (R) and recently ruled on by Attorney General Jim Hood (D).  And now, with less than a week before House Bill 2 takes effect, a handful of anti-gun Senators and certain law enforcement groups are publicly calling for reconsideration or repeal of this new law when Mississippi legislators convene a special session on Medicaid tomorrow. 

A 2012 opinion issued by Attorney General Hood stated that it was unlawful for anyone, even a state-issued permit holder, to carry a firearm in a way in which any part of the gun was visible.  This included holstered firearms and situations where the gun being carried was unintentionally displayed.  HB 2, authored by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-77) and state Senator Giles Ward (R-18) this year, clarified the legal definition of "concealed" to provide permit holders more flexibility while carrying for self-defense, and to recognize the rights granted non-permittees under the state constitution to carry unconcealed firearms for protection. 

Opponents who are calling for significant revisions to or outright repeal of HB 2 ignore the fact that the gun carry provisions of this legislation are already the law of the land in 41 other states – including Connecticut and Maryland, that have recently adopted some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation.  In fact, many Mississippi gun owners believe that HB 2 simply reinstates rights that they already had prior to the issuance of last year’s confusing and conflicting Attorney General opinion.

With a special session being convened tomorrow on Medicaid, it’s an opportune time to send a note of thanks to state legislative leaders and your individual lawmakers for their support for House Bill 2.  To see how your state Representative and Senator voted on HB 2, click here. 

Please click on the links below to call and send a note of thanks to the following elected officials for their work to protect your right to self-defense:

Governor Phil Bryant 

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves

House Speaker Philip Gunn

To contact your state Senator and Representative, please click here.