Mississippi: House Gives Final Approval to NRA-Backed Permitless Carry Bill, Sends Measure to Gov. Bryant for His Signature

Today, the Mississippi House voted 85-35 to concur with Senate amendments to House Bill 786, sending the legislation to Governor Phil Bryant (R) for his expected signature.  Despite months of misleading attacks by New York gun control advocate and billionaire Michael Bloomberg and his anti-gun state groups, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved HB 786 this session.  Thank you to those NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their elected officials in support of HB 786 throughout the legislative process!

House Bill 786 by State Rep. Andy Gipson (R-Braxton) accomplishes the following:

• Expands current permitless carry options to include belt and shoulder holsters.  (Legislation passed in 2015 authorized Mississippians who are eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law to carry a pistol or revolver without a license in purses, handbags, satchels, other similar bags or briefcases or fully enclosed cases);
• 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 receive the benefits of existing protections under the state’s “Castle Doctrine” law; and
• Prohibits state or local enforcement of federal executive orders or agency regulations not approved by Congress which conflict with the Constitution of the United States or the Mississippi Constitution.

Once Governor Bryant signs the bill, Mississippi will become the ninth state to pass legislation recognizing a law-abiding adult’s ability to carry a concealed pistol or revolver for personal protection without government-mandated permitting or fees.  (West Virginia and Idaho passed permitless carry legislation earlier in the year, their respective laws take effect this summer; HB 786 takes effect upon the Governor's signature.)

NRA-ILA would like to thank Senate and House leaders, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves (R) and Speaker Philip Gunn (R), as well as the sponsor, state Rep. Andy Gipson (R-Braxton), and key committee chairman state Sen. Sean Tindell (R-Gulfport), for their leadership on this important bill.  If you haven't already done so, please send them a quick note of thanks for their key support.