Billionaire gun control advocate Michael Bloomberg and his anti-gun grassroots group Everytown for Gun Safety have launched an attack on House Bill 786, a pro-self-defense bill that overwhelmingly passed the Mississippi House and is on its way to the State Senate. It's up to YOU to let your elected officials know that he doesn't represent Mississippi values when it comes to your right to protect yourself and your family.
NRA-ILA had previously reported on House Bill 786, sponsored by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-Braxton), which was approved by state Representatives last week by a convincing 86-32 vote. The bill accomplishes two things: (1) it allows church authorities to develop security programs that designate enhanced carry permit holders or those with military or law enforcement backgrounds to protect places of worship and ensures that these participants receive the benefits of existing protections under the state's Castle Doctrine law; and (2) it clarifies current permitless carry options for law-abiding citizens while maintaining the existing enhanced and regular concealed carry permitting systems.
What Bloomberg and gun control advocates fail to acknowledge in their misguided attacks on HB 786 is that Mississippi already has limited permitless carry. 2015 Legislation, Senate Bill 2394, allowed all Mississippians otherwise eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law to carry without a permit in a "purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case." HB 786 would specify that this includes a "sheath, belt holster or shoulder holster" -- an important clarification for these popular methods of secure carry. Just as with passage of SB 2394, HB 786 will not prevent enforcement of prohibited person laws or of any laws governing the misuse of a firearm.
The state has not experienced problems since moving to a limited permitless carry statute in Mississippi last year. Further, no state which has adopted full permitless carry in the modern era has reversed course, including Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine and Wyoming. Over half the states allow for open carry without a permit, including Mississippi. HB 786 simply recognizes that it is more convenient to carry concealed in the methods outlined. Licensed concealed carry will remain an option for individuals who wish to take advantage of reciprocity with other states, and be exempt from a NICS background check requirement when purchasing a firearm.
Please contact Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, as well as your state Senator and politely urge them to support House Bill 786. You can contact the Lt. Governor and your Senator by clicking here or the above button.
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