New Mississippi Law Allows Concealed Carry of Gun in Purse, Briefcase Without Permit

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On Wednesday, Mississippi’s SB 2394 took effect, a new law that relaxes the state’s concealed carry permit rules. The legislation removes the requirement that a citizen obtain a permit in order to transport a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver in a fully-enclosed container such as a purse or briefcase.

Additionally, according to WDAM-TV, SB 2394 lowers fees for concealed carry permits from $100 to $80 for new applicants, from $50 to $40 for renewals, and from $25 to $20 for renewals by senior citizens. The law also exempts active-duty military personnel from having to pay to apply for a concealed carry permit.

State Senator Joey Fillingane (R-District 41), who co-authored the legislation, said that the final bill was a compromise, as gun rights supporters wanted to pass a broader constitutional carry bill that would more generally legalize the concealed carry of firearms without a permit. “The initial bill, as it started out, was far broader,” said Senator Fillingane. “I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of that particular bill.”

The legislation, which was backed by the National Rifle Association, was signed into law on April 9 by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.

An April statement by the anti-gun group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said, “Governor Phil Bryant and the Mississippi legislature failed to recognize the dangers of passing SB 2394, and in doing so, have ultimately compromised the public safety of Mississippi families. We are terribly disappointed that Representative Gipson quietly amended and pushed through this dangerous bill allowing Mississippians to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit. He was probably hoping that we wouldn’t notice – but unfortunately for him, we did and we will remember when it comes time to head to the voting booth.”

State Representative Andy Gipson, who introduced the House version of the bill, said, according to Y’all Politics, “As may be seen, the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Legislature are committed to passing real, meaningful pro-Second Amendment legislation.”

Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement about the new law, “On behalf of the NRA and our five-million members, we thank Governor Phil Bryant, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn and the Mississippi Legislature for their leadership over the last four years to allow citizens to more fully exercise their right to self-defense.“

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