At present, Mississippi concealed carry is something of a hybrid, involving a certain amount of permitless carry with restrictions. Residents can conceal without a license, but may be better off doing so as the permit allows one to carry in more locations.
The Magnolia State could be marching toward , but isn't quite there yet.
Mississippi Constitutional Carry - No Permit Needed Except...
As of April 2016, there is a limited Mississippi constitutional carry law in effect, as all but a few restrictions have been lifted regarding carrying without a permit. However, the restrictions are such that a resident may want to consider the permit in any case.
No permit is required to carry a loaded firearm concealed in a purse, satchel, briefcase or other similar type of container, nor is it required to do so in a on the waistband, ankle or in a shoulder holster.
Nota Bene: pocket carry without a license is not permitted.
The same exemption from needing a permit is extended to those who wish to open carry, so no permit needed if one wishes to carry in plain sight.
However, there is a catch.
Mississippi law prevents carrying in some locations without a permit, and at that, an enhanced permit. Some are not really an inconvenience to most people, so it's not like there's any loss...but some are.
Such locations include:
- Jails, prisons or other state detention facilities
- State courthouses (unless you're a judge)
- Courtrooms (unless you're a judge)
- State police stations
- Polling places
- Establishments that serve alcoholic beverages including bars, taverns or restaurants with liquor licenses
- Colleges and universities
- Passenger terminals of airports - before the security checkpoint
- Churches
- Places of government meetings
- Primary or secondary schools
- Athletic events
Naturally, any locations where concealed carry is prohibited by federal law are still off-limits. Also, any private homes or establishments that posts a sign saying guns aren't allowed are off-limits to permitless carriers.
Concealed Carry Mississippi Permits - Regular and Enhanced Option
If one wants to concealed carry, Mississippi does issue permits and both regular and enhanced permits are available should one desire an enhanced permit. However, the enhanced license - unlike in other states such as the enhanced license - isn't a separate license, but rather an add-on endorsement.
As a result, a Mississippi enhanced license endorsement is actually permanent, though the Mississippi permit has to be renewed every five years.
Having the enhanced license nets one access while armed to the above named locations, as well as allows for legal pocket carry, if one absolutely had to pocket carry.
Mississippi doesn't offer non-resident permits, except to active-duty military personnel stationed in Mississippi, but does recognize any valid permit issued by any other state, whether a reciprocity agreement exists by law or not.
To Get The Mississippi Concealed Carry Permit Or Not?
Generally, it's worth it for residents of the state to get the Mississippi concealed carry permit. Fees are very reasonable - $112 all-in, including the permit fee, background check and fingerprinting fees - and the standard permit only requires a background check and fingerprinting. However, a standard permit does not grant one access to places forbidden to carry in by state law; the enhanced license endorsement, however, does. Renewal fees are very reasonable as well; costing only $82 all told, which includes the renewal fee and fees for new fingerprints and the background check.
The standard license doesn't confer many benefits beyond what the constitutional carry states do, except for garnering reciprocity. Mississippi does maintain agreements with a number of states, though the state recognizes any and all valid permits issued by other U.S. states. All told, 33 states recognize Mississippi concealed carry permits.
The enhanced endorsement requires an 8-hour training course from an approved instructor or proof of completion of comparable training as a member of law enforcement or the armed forces. While this is an inconvenience to be sure, the Mississippi enhanced ccw license endorsement is valid for life, though the base license has to be renewed every five years.
Requirements for the base license are fairly standard. An applicant must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of both the United States and Mississippi, can't have been convicted of a felony or certain other violent misdemeanors, a fugitive, can't have been committed to a mental health facility, can't be a habitual user of controlled substances or have been in rehab in the past three years.
Transport of a loaded firearm, concealed or otherwise, doesn't require a license of any kind, so one can as they see fit so long as they aren't prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Mississippi is fairly friendly to carrying and to firearms owners, but one is better off with the license than without it.
FAQs
Is a permit required to carry concealed in Mississippi?
Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry for any person age 18 or older who is legally allowed to possess a firearm, as of the 2016 law. Carrying concealed handguns no longer requires a permit except in certain restricted places. However, the state still issues concealed carry permits for peace of mind and interstate reciprocity purposes.
How do I get a concealed carry permit in Mississippi?
Applicants must be 21 or older, residents of Mississippi for at least 12 months (or meet reciprocity or military exceptions), have no felony convictions, and not suffer from disqualifying conditions such as substance abuse or violent misdemeanors. The process includes fingerprinting, background checks, submitting an application with photos, paying fees ($100 application and fingerprint fees), and may require firearms safety training.
What are the key eligibility requirements for a concealed carry permit?
Applicants must have good moral character, no felony convictions, no substance abuse impairments, no recent violent misdemeanors, no adjudicated mental incompetency, and not be fugitives from justice. Active military personnel, retired law enforcement officers, or out-of-state permit holders may qualify under special provisions.
Are training courses required to obtain a concealed carry permit in Mississippi?
The state does not require formal firearms safety training to obtain a carry permit, although training is highly encouraged. Permittees who voluntarily complete certified firearms safety courses gain additional rights to carry in places normally prohibited to permitless carriers.
Where is concealed carry prohibited even with a permit in Mississippi?
Concealed carry is forbidden inside police stations, detention facilities, schools, courthouses, polling places, government meetings, certain establishments that serve alcohol, churches unless authorized, private properties with “no firearms” signage, and certain public events. Permit holders who completed certified training receive some exceptions for schools, bars, polling places, and churches.
How long is a concealed carry permit valid in Mississippi, and how is it renewed?
Mississippi concealed carry permits are valid for five years. Renewal must be done on or before expiration and involves submitting a renewal form, affidavit of eligibility, payment of fees (generally $50), and a background check. Failure to renew within six months leads to permanent expiration, requiring a new application.
Do permit holders have to notify law enforcement during a stop in Mississippi?
Mississippi law requires concealed carry permit holders to immediately inform law enforcement officers upon any lawful stop or detention that they are carrying a concealed weapon. Proper identification and permit presentation must be provided if requested.
Can non-residents obtain a Mississippi concealed carry permit?
Non-residents generally cannot obtain Mississippi permits but may carry concealed lawfully if holding valid concealed carry permits from states accepted under Mississippi’s reciprocity agreements.
How do concealed carry laws in Mississippi interact with firearm possession in vehicles?
Mississippi allows carrying concealed firearms in vehicles without a permit if concealed in a glove compartment, utility box, or other secure container. Permitless carry in vehicles follows general firearm carrying rules; permit holders enjoy eased restrictions and broader carriage rights.
What upcoming legislative changes could affect concealed carry in Mississippi?
Recent legislative sessions considered bills to align state laws with federal regulations on ghost guns and to clarify permitless carry boundaries. No major changes to permit requirements or carry rights have been adopted since the 2016 constitutional carry introduction.
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About The Author Born in southeastern Washington State, Sam Hoober graduated in 2011 from Eastern Washington University. He resides in the great Inland Northwest, with his wife and child. His varied interests include camping, hunting, concealed carry, and spending time at the gun range as often as possible.. |