Mississippi: Pro-Gun, Pro-Defense Measures on the Move in Jackson

This week, the Mississippi House passed NRA-endorsed House Bill 786, introduced by State Representative Andy Gipson (R-Braxton), on an 86-32 vote.  HB 786 would allow church authorities to develop security programs and designate enhanced carry permit holders, or those with military or law enforcement backgrounds, to protect places of worship and their congregations.  Additionally, HB 786 would ensure that these participants receive the benefits of existing protections under the state’s Castle Doctrine law.  The committee substitute for HB 786 also contains a provision that clarifies the legal options available to law-abiding citizens under Senate Bill 2394 which passed last session and was signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant (R).

SB 2394, which passed in 2015, amended Miss. Code Section 45-9-101 to add a new subsection providing a permitless carry option to all Mississippians otherwise eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law.  This went into effect on July 1, authorizing concealed carry without a license in a "purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case."  The committee substitute would add “sheaths or shoulder and belt holsters” as other methods of concealed carry which would no longer require a permit.

The House Judiciary B Committee has reported out four other pro-gun, pro-defense measures that await consideration by the full House:

House Bill 758, introduced by State Representative Joey Hood (R-Ackerman), would prohibit local entities from imposing special taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition, like those adopted by the cities of Chicago and Seattle, and would add state agencies, commissions and boards to the firearms preemption statute to further ensure uniformity and consistency in gun laws across the state.

House Bill 1300, introduced by State Representative Hood (R-Attala), would expand legal protections for shooting ranges in Mississippi.

House Bill 782, introduced by State Representative Mark Formby (R-Picayune), would prohibit the enforcement of federal executive actions and orders which conflict with the Mississippi Constitution.

House Bill 1294, introduced by State Representative Herb Frierson (R-Poplarville), which would include knives in the state firearms preemption law and repeal restrictive local ordinances governing the possession and carrying of knives. 

Please contact your State Representatives and urge them to support HB 758, HB 1300, HB 782 and HB 1294.

Please feel free to include the short descriptions of the bills provided in this alert when communicating with your House member.

Also this week, the Senate Judiciary A Committee reported out Senate Bill 2313, introduced by State Senator Sean Tindell (R-Gulfport), which would eliminate the unnecessary and redundant state registration requirement for lawfully-owned firearm sound suppressors. 

Please contact your State Senators and urge them to support SB 2313. 

Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as they progress through the Mississippi Legislature.