Mississippi Governor Signs Pro-Gun Bills into Law

Fairfax, Va. – Governor Phil Bryant has signed two important pro-gun bills into law in Mississippi.

“These two bills protect the privacy of Mississippians and remove legal traps for law-abiding citizens wanting to exercise their right to carry firearms for personal defense,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “On behalf of NRA members and all gun owners in Mississippi, I would like to thank Gov. Bryant for signing these bills, as well as Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn, state Representative Andy Gipson, state Senator Giles Ward, and state Representative Mark Baker for championing this important pro-gun legislation.”

House Bill 485 ensures that the personal information of carry permit holders and applicants remains confidential and exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act. This will keep the private information of law-abiding citizens out of the hands of the media and is a meaningful measure to protect those who exercise their Second Amendment right of self-defense.

House Bill 2 eliminates the confusion in a recent opinion by state Attorney General Jim Hood regarding carry permit holders carrying holstered, partially-visible pistols on their person. This law strikes the phrase “in whole or in part” after the word “concealed” where it appears in Section 97-37-1 of Mississippi law prohibiting the carrying of certain firearms or other deadly weapons. It also more clearly defines the term “concealed” for carry permit holders as well as non-permit holders so that Mississippians can better understand the intent of the law.

“In January, I called on House and Senate leaders to take swift action to protect gun owners and the right to arms, and today I am signing two very important gun rights measures into law,” Gov. Bryant said. “As a matter of public safety, I remain opposed to releasing personal information on law abiding gun owners. Sensitive gun owner information is entitled to privacy protections—just like medical records, tax documents and personnel files.

“I am also signing House Bill 2 into law to protect Mississippians who are licensed to carry concealed weapons. This important measure will also help those who protect us by allowing veterans and active duty military personnel under the age of 21 to apply for concealed carry permits.”

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