On January 7, the Mississippi Legislature convened its 2014 regular session. The deadline for introducing bills that are not revenue-related is on Monday, January 20. There is a short duration between the time that legislation is filed and the time it receives a number and committee referral, and during that time your NRA-ILA will be reporting on additional measures that affect your Second Amendment rights in the coming weeks.
The following NRA-backed bills have been introduced so far:
House Bill 314 – sponsored by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-77), HB 314 makes important reforms to the state firearms preemption statute by; strengthening the “emergency powers protection” governing the lawful possession and transportation of firearms during a natural disaster, protecting the right of law-abiding citizens to possess firearms in low-income housing, clarifying limits on the authority of municipalities and counties to restrict the carrying of firearms, and providing a legal remedy for citizens who are adversely impacted by local gun control ordinances enacted outside the scope of this authority. This measure has been referred to the House Judiciary B Committee. Please contact House Judiciary B Committee members, as well as your state Representative, and urge them to support House Bill 314.
House Bill 139 – sponsored by state Representative Gary Chism (R-37), HB 139 would prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to sponsor any public “gun buyback” or “gun turn-in” events and require state or local governments that participate in such programs to first attempt to auction off any firearms collected to federally-licensed firearm dealers. This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary A Committee. Please contact House Judiciary A Committee members, as well as your state Representative, and urge them to support HB 139.
The following misguided gun control measures have also been filed this session:
House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 2030 – sponsored by state Representative Omeria Scott (D-80) and state Senator Sampson Jackson (D-32), these bills would establish an ammunition registration and serialization system, respectively.
House Bill 179 – sponsored by state Representative Deborah Dixon (D-63), HB 179 would repeal portions of Mississippi’s “Castle Doctrine” law, damaging the fundamental right to self-defense of Mississippi citizens.
State leaders were quick to criticize such proposals, you can view Governor Phil Bryant's statement here and House Speaker Philip Gunn's comments here.
Contact information for your state Representative can be found here.
Committee membership can be found here.
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