Mississippi: Senate Committee Passes Comprehensive Pro-Gun Legislation

This week, the Senate Judiciary A Committee approved House Bill 314, NRA-backed legislation sponsored by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-Rankin, Simpson, and Smith Cos.), and advanced this measure to the full Senate for consideration.  HB 314 contains a number of important reforms to Mississippi state firearms preemption and emergency powers protection laws, including:

• The expansion of protections against the confiscation of legally-possessed firearms during a state of emergency or natural disaster (incorporating language from House Bill 705 by state Representative Dennis DeBar (R-Forrest, George, Greene, Perry and Wayne Counties))
• Protection of residents’ rights to lawfully own and possess firearms in public housing
• Clarification of limits on the authority of municipalities and counties to restrict the carrying of firearms, and the establishment of a legal remedy for citizens who are adversely impacted by local gun control ordinances enacted outside the scope of this authority
• Prohibition on the destruction of firearms acquired by local governments as a result of gun “buyback” programs (incorporating language from House Bill 485 by state Representative Gary Chism, (R-Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha Counties)

Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to support HB 314.  Thank you to  Senate Judiciary A Committee Chairman Briggs Hopson (R-Issaquena, Warren and Yazoo Counties) for scheduling this measure for consideration well in advance of next week's committee action deadline and for shepherding it through his committee.  Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.

Under the pro-gun leadership of Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves (R), the state Senate also approved several other NRA-supported bills this week, including:

House Bill 764, sponsored by state Representative Joey Hood (R-Choctaw, Grenada, Oktibbeha and Webster Counties), seeks to exempt disabled veterans from fees on original and renewal concealed carry permits.  HB 764 is being held procedurally on a motion to reconsider.

Senate Bill 2425, sponsored by state Senator Philip Moran (R-Hancock and Harrison Counties), seeks to create a sportsmen's sales tax holiday on firearms, ammunition, and hunting & fishing supplies the first weekend of September.  SB 2425 must still go to the House for approval.  Since 2009, Louisiana has celebrated an annual Second Amendment tax-free weekend on similar items, putting Mississippi sporting goods retailers at a competitive disadvantage as hunting season begins.  Please contact your state Representative and respectfully urge him or her to SUPPORT SB 2425.

The Mississippi House has approved their version of a firearms sales tax holiday bill this week.  House Bill 1404, sponsored by strong Second Amendment supporter, House Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Hinds, Madison, Warren and Yazoo Counties), now goes to the Senate for its consideration.  This is the time during the legislative session when competing proposals for funding different policy priorities are debated between and within each legislative chamber.  Please make sure your elected officials hear from you in support of legislation to create a sportsmen’s sales tax holiday in the Magnolia State!  Contact information for your state Representative can be found here.