New Mississippi law allows concealed carry without a permit

[Suzanimal]

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed the "Church Protection Act" into law Friday.

The law allows church members to act as armed security, as long as they have permits and firearms training. It even permits church members to use deadly force, if need be.

But as WHBQ learned, there's a clause in the law that actually broadens gun owners' rights throughout the state, not just in the church.

Some Mississippi legislators said the bill could have been called the "Mississippi Concealed Carry Law," because it lets law abiding citizens conceal and carry without a permit.

"I have been carrying ever since the law passed for open carry," said Dennis Koontz as he walked around a Horn Lake gun shot. He had a 40-caliber pistol on his side, but he does not have a permit.

Now, under the Church Protection Act, he can conceal the same gun.

The interpretation comes from the closing lines of the new law. It reads as follows:

"A license under this section is not required for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver to be carried upon the person in a sheath, belt holster, shoulder holster or in a purse or handbag."

"I think the Second Amendment gives us a right to carry weapons," Koontz said. "We shouldn't have to get a permit or (be) paying anybody to do something."

Some gun owners in the Magnolia State disagreed. They said not requiring a permit is a bad idea.

"It shows that you accomplished something," Derek Hinds said of permits.

"That is your permit. It is just like a driver's license," gun owner James Clark said. "That permit goes to you. It would cover your backside."

The truth, we learned from legislators, is that getting a basic conceal carry permit in Mississippi has always been fairly easy.

You pay the money, you pass the background check and you get the permit. No training is required.

The new law does not take effect on July 1, like some others. It was written in such a way that it takes effect immediately.

Legislators said they hope that by encouraging more people to conceal carry, more people will apply for enhanced carry permits that require extensive class work and training. And in turn, those people will be allowed to carry concealed in most places in the state.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending-n...rmit/220412375

[opal]

I might have to rethink adding Mississippi to the property hunting list

[Ronin Truth]

You may want to wait a bit for all of the yahoos to all kill each other off, before visting Mississippi.

[Bryan]

"[Getting a permit] shows that you accomplished something," ?? Yeah, sure, but what does that have to do with anything?

[Ronin Truth]

"[Getting a permit] shows that you accomplished something," ?? Yeah, sure, but what does that have to do with anything?

FWIW, in Oklahoma, I had to take an 8 hr class, pass a written test and a shooting test, in order to get my CCP. It wasn't all that tough, but I did learn a thing or three in the process.

There was also a criminal back ground check by the sheriff and an FBI fingerprint check, required. Cost about $100 overall, and it's only good for 10 years. Now we also have an open carry option for the CCP folks.

[Suzanimal]

"[Getting a permit] shows that you accomplished something," ?? Yeah, sure, but what does that have to do with anything?

Like a participation prize permit, I guess.

[bunklocoempire]

"[Getting a permit] shows that you accomplished something," ?? Yeah, sure, but what does that have to do with anything?

Approval, pride, belonging.

What a feeling. 'Cause bullets, tyranny, and feelings yo.

[luctor-et-emergo]

"[Getting a permit] shows that you accomplished something," ?? Yeah, sure, but what does that have to do with anything?

Accomplishing something doesn't necessarily imply that it's a good thing. It certainly accomplishes something; acquiring a permit.

[Matt Collins]

I am proud to say I played a very small part in this!

[ChristianAnarchist]

I would like to see the exact wording of this new law. So far what I've seen above is a bit confusing as it seems that you can only "carry" in a Church?? What about walking down the street or shopping somewhere?

[CaptUSA]

Some Mississippi legislators said the bill could have been called the "Mississippi Concealed Carry Law," because it lets law abiding citizens conceal and carry without a permit.

Ok, am I the only one who sees a problem with this? You don't need a law to allow people their natural rights. You just need to repeal any law that got in the way of it. By creating a law dictating what the government lets you do, they are really saying that the government has the right to dictate.

I mean, I suppose it's better than the alternative, but there's some really unfortunate language there.

[ChristianAnarchist]

Ok, am I the only one who sees a problem with this? You don't need a law to allow people their natural rights. You just need to repeal any law that got in the way of it. By creating a law dictating what the government lets you do, they are really saying that the government has the right to dictate.

I mean, I suppose it's better than the alternative, but there's some really unfortunate language there.

*Darn*
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to CaptUSA again.

[Matt Collins]

Ok, am I the only one who sees a problem with this? You don't need a law to allow people their natural rights. You just need to repeal any law that got in the way of it. By creating a law dictating what the government lets you do, they are really saying that the government has the right to dictate.

I mean, I suppose it's better than the alternative, but there's some really unfortunate language there.

I haven't read this one specifically, but that is pretty much what all the Constitutional Carry bills do... repeal the clauses that require a permit to carry

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Ok, am I the only one who sees a problem with this? You don't need a law to allow people their natural rights. You just need to repeal any law that got in the way of it. By creating a law dictating what the government lets you do, they are really saying that the government has the right to dictate.

I mean, I suppose it's better than the alternative, but there's some really unfortunate language there.

Man, you said it. I cringe every time I hear somebody use the word "permit." People on Yahoo are constantly asking questions about concealed carry, referring to it as a "permit." I might expect it there because these people can't even do a simple internet search. I do however, see the term used on gun forums.

I think RPF member Ronin had a good quote from Confucius about how words and language shape culture and attitudes, but I can't remember it right now.

[Ronin Truth]

Man, you said it. I cringe every time I hear somebody use the word "permit." People on Yahoo are constantly asking questions about concealed carry, referring to it as a "permit." I might expect it there because these people can't even do a simple internet search. I do however, see the term used on gun forums.

I think RPF member Ronin had a good quote from Confucius about how words and language shape culture and attitudes, but I can't remember it right now.

"When words lose their meaning, people will lose their liberty." -- Confucius

[Lindsey]

I might have to rethink adding Mississippi to the property hunting list

FWIW, I've spent 3 weeks at the coast and 2 weeks in central Mississippi. Both locations exceeded my expectations. Not sure why MS has a bad rep, but IME it is undeserved. It has it's rough areas, but every state has those. The three weeks I spent at the coast were in June, and to me the heat & humidity was borderline intolerable - that's the only negative thing I have to say about the state. (The time I spent at the coast was pre-Katrina, btw.)

[ChristianAnarchist]

"When words lose their meaning, people will lose their liberty." -- Confucius

Joking, right??

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

"When words lose their meaning, people will lose their liberty." -- Confucius

Thanks!

[Ronin Truth]

Joking, right??

I assume Confucius meant it when he said it. <shrug>

[Ronin Truth]

Thanks!

You're welcome!