Malcolm Rivera
Mississippi is one of 11 US states that allows constitutional carry, meaning that citizens who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon without a state-issued permit. Mississippi's gun laws have changed from being fairly restrictive to being among the most permissive in the country. However, there are still caveats as to how and where someone can carry a concealed gun without a permit. For example, Mississippi's purse carry law allows citizens to carry a gun in a purse, briefcase, satchel or bag without a permit, but not in places like schools, polling places, courthouses, and government meetings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry | Yes, Mississippi is a "shall-issue permitless carry state" |
| Concealed carry | Legal with a CCW permit |
| Concealed carry permit | Issued at the state level by the Department of Public Safety |
| Permit requirements | Applicant must be 21 years old (or at least 18 and a member or veteran of the military) and either be a resident of Mississippi, a non-resident with a valid permit from another state, an active-duty member of the military stationed in Mississippi, or a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state |
| Permitless carry | Includes constitutional carry states and states where an individual must meet certain qualifications to legally carry |
| Firearm training course | Required for enhanced firearms permits; must be an 8-hour course on firearms safety taught by an enhanced permit certified firearm instructor |
| Open carry | Allowed by the Mississippi Constitution; firearm must be in a holster, sheath, or scabbard that is at least partially visible above clothing |
| Concealed carry restrictions | Places of nuisance, police stations and jails, courthouses, schools, polling places, government meetings, bars, churches, and private property |
| Reciprocity | Mississippi recognizes valid permits from other states and has reciprocity agreements with several states |
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What You'll Learn
Mississippi's gun laws are among the most permissive in the country
Mississippi has some of the weakest gun laws in the country, with none of the foundational gun laws in place. The state has a high rate of gun deaths and is among the top states in household firearm ownership. While there are some restrictions on gun ownership and usage, such as prohibiting individuals with assault or violent misdemeanor convictions from purchasing guns, Mississippi's laws are generally permissive.
The state offers both resident and non-resident permits, with active-duty military personnel and retired law enforcement officers being exempt from the residency requirement. Mississippi also has a castle doctrine law, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or immediate premises. The state's gun laws also include provisions for threat assessment programs to identify students at risk of violence and for federal funds to assist victims of gun violence.
Mississippi's gun laws are subject to change, and legislators can alter regulations at any time. While the state has some restrictions on gun ownership and usage, it is important to note that Mississippi's gun laws are among the most permissive in the country, with a focus on preserving the right of individuals to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.
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Requirements for a concealed carry permit
Mississippi is a "shall-issue" permitless carry state, meaning no state permit is required to carry a handgun. However, the state does issue two types of concealed carry permits for reciprocity purposes: the Standard Firearms Permit (SFP) and the Enhanced Endorsement to the MS Firearms Permit (E-SFP). A permit applicant must be 21 years old (or at least 18 and a member of the military or a veteran) and either be a resident of Mississippi, a non-resident with a valid permit from another state, an active-duty member of the military stationed in Mississippi, or a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state.
The SFP does not require any formal firearms training, but it still has limitations on where firearms can be carried. The E-SFP requires a firearms training course offered by an instructor certified by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The training classes provide invaluable information on Mississippi firearms laws, firearm safety, options for concealed carry firearms, different types of carry holsters, and techniques and tactics for responsible gun ownership. The E-SFP allows for the carry of firearms in more locations than the SFP.
Mississippi recognizes all valid out-of-state weapons permits, regardless of the age of the permit holder, as long as the issuing state recognizes Mississippi licenses. Mississippi residents with a concealed carry permit are allowed to carry a concealed defensive firearm in Oklahoma without any type of permit. Mississippi also has reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Georgia, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Vermont, where Mississippi permits are recognized.
To obtain a Mississippi firearms permit, applicants must not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility. If the applicant has been committed, they must possess a certificate from a licensed Mississippi psychiatrist stating that they have not suffered from disability for five years. Additionally, applicants must not have had a felony conviction in the last three years or been found guilty of one or more violent misdemeanors within the last three years.
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Where you can carry a concealed gun in Mississippi
Mississippi has some of the most permissive gun laws in the United States. It is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that the relevant authority must issue a permit to any applicant who meets the basic requirements. It is also a permitless carry state, meaning that anyone who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, there are certain places where carrying a concealed gun is prohibited.
You can carry a concealed gun in Mississippi in the following places:
- Within the confines of your own home, place of business, or real property associated with your home or business.
- Within any motor vehicle, provided the firearm is loaded and is either on your person or securely stored.
- If you are engaged in a legitimate weapon-related sports activity, such as hunting, fishing, or target shooting.
Where You Cannot Carry a Concealed Gun in Mississippi
You cannot carry a concealed gun in Mississippi in the following places:
- Places of nuisance, police stations, and jails.
- Courthouses or courtrooms (except that a judge may carry a concealed weapon and decide who may carry a concealed weapon in a courtroom).
- Schools and polling places.
- Government meetings.
- Bars and churches.
- Private property.
It is important to note that Mississippi recognizes valid concealed carry permits issued in other states, provided that the issuing state also recognizes Mississippi's permits. Additionally, Mississippi offers both standard and enhanced permits, with the enhanced permit allowing carry in more locations than the standard permit.
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Purse carry law
Mississippi is a permitless carry state, which means no state permit is required to carry a handgun. However, Mississippi does issue concealed carry permits for reciprocity purposes. Mississippi's concealed carry permit does not allow permit-holders to bring a concealed firearm into locations such as police stations, jails, courthouses, schools, and bars. However, if a concealed carry permit-holder voluntarily completes a certified or approved firearms safety training course, the permit-holder may carry his or her concealed firearm into schools, polling places, government meetings, bars, churches, and private property.
In Mississippi, a person over the age of 18 may carry a concealed weapon within a motor vehicle without violating the concealed weapon law. Mississippi statutes do not address the minimum age for permitless concealed carry. For reciprocity reasons, two types of permits are still available at the state level: the Standard Firearms Permit (SFP) and an enhanced version (E-SFP), which allows carry in more locations. A permit applicant must be 21 years old (or at least 18 and a member or the military or a veteran) and either be a resident of Mississippi, a non-resident with a valid permit from another state, active-duty military stationed in Mississippi, or a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state.
Mississippi law allows people to carry loaded handguns inside a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bags, or briefcases or fully enclosed cases without a permit. However, it is important to note that there are restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in certain locations, such as schools, polling places, government meetings, and bars. Additionally, Mississippi is a stand your ground state, which means that a person who is not the initial aggressor and is not engaged in unlawful activity has no duty to retreat before using deadly force if they are in a place where they have a right to be.
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Stand your ground law
Mississippi is a "shall-issue" permitless carry state, meaning no state permit is required to carry a handgun. It is also a "stand your ground" state, which means that an individual who is not the initial aggressor and is not engaged in unlawful activity has no duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defence. This upends the traditional legal requirement to retreat or avoid using lethal force if it can be done so safely.
Mississippi's stand your ground law also states that "the killing of a human being" is justifiable "in resisting" certain property crimes. This means that a person can protect themselves using force, including deadly force, if they are in imminent danger of death or reasonable bodily injury. It creates a presumption that the perpetrator is there illegally and that the individual can defend themselves, their home, their business, their occupied vehicle, and some other places mentioned in the statute.
It is important to note that different states have varying statutes that govern what does and does not qualify as self-defence. Additionally, laws regarding firearms and self-defence can change, and law enforcement agencies or legislators may alter regulations at any time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mississippi is a constitutional carry state.
Constitutional carry means that the state's law does not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns, either openly or in a concealed manner, and thus no state permit is required.
Yes, there are still restrictions on where you can carry a concealed firearm in Mississippi. These include places of nuisance, police stations, jails, courthouses, schools, polling places, government meetings, bars, churches, and private property.
No, a permit is not required to carry a concealed firearm in Mississippi. However, Mississippi does issue concealed carry permits for reciprocity purposes.
Yes, to obtain a concealed carry permit in Mississippi, you must be at least 21 years old (or at least 18 and a member of the military or a veteran) and either be a resident of Mississippi or meet certain non-resident requirements.
