On Wednesday, February 13th, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1581 on a bipartisan, unanimous vote, 113-0. Now, the measure moves to the Senate where it is currently pending committee assignment and a hearing date. We will inform you of this information as soon as it is available and the actions you can take to help pass this important legislation.
House Bill 1581, sponsored by Representative Angela Cockerham (D-96), clarifies the meaning of “courtroom” and “courthouse” in the enhanced permit statute by limiting prohibited places to a prescribed list of areas– the courtroom itself, the judge’s chamber and office, and witness and jury rooms.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling in favor of enhanced permit holders just last year, a handful of judges continue to go well beyond current statute in defining “courtroom” to include public areas throughout entire courthouse buildings and complexes. This is not what the legislature intended when it passed the enhanced permit law, nor is it what was intended by the Supreme Court when it issued its ruling last year. HB 1581 further clarifies the statute by listing various public areas in courthouses that are NOT to be considered “courtrooms,” and thereby, not subject to judicially-imposed restrictions on concealed carry for enhanced permit holders.
Continue to check your inbox and www.NRAILA.org for updates on HB 1581, along with other issues impacting your Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage in Mississippi.
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