Mississippi Gun Permit: Laws, Cost, Restrictions, & FAQs

Mississippi, known for its rich history and culture, is also known as a constitutional carry state. This means that individuals in Mississippi have the right to carry firearms without the need for a specific permit. However, the state still issues gun licenses for the possession of firearms, which can be essential in certain situations and places.

In this article, we will explore the gun laws in Mississippi, the requirements to obtain a pistol permit, the types of permits available, the cost of obtaining one, and the reciprocity agreements with other states. So, if you’re a resident of Mississippi or planning to move there and want to understand the state’s gun regulations, keep reading!

Mississippi Gun Permit Summary

Mississippi operates under a shall-issue policy for gun permits, with the Department of Public Safety overseeing the application process. However, it’s worth noting that the state does not issue a purchase permit. Instead, the focus is on concealed carry permits and open carry regulations.

How To Get A Gun Permit In Mississippi?

To apply for a gun permit in Mississippi, you must meet specific requirements. First and foremost, you must be at least twenty-one years old and not have any restrictions on using firearms. For members of the United States Armed Forces, the minimum age is eighteen.

Mississippi Gun Permit Laws

Mississippi is a permissive open carry state, allowing individuals who are eighteen years old or older, without any federal or state prohibitions, to carry firearms openly. However, there are places within the state where open carry is prohibited.

The possession of assault weapons like machine guns and semi-automatic weapons is allowed only for federally licensed individuals, law enforcement officers, government officials, and military members.

Mississippi Pistol Permit Requirements

To obtain a Mississippi pistol permit, you must meet several criteria. These include:

1. Age Requirement: You must be at least twenty-one years old or eighteen if you are a member of the United States Armed Forces.
2. Residency: For a resident’s permit, you must have lived in Mississippi for more than one year.
3. No Felony Convictions: You must not have any felony convictions without a state or federal pardon.
4. Physical Ability: You must not have any physical disability or deformity that hinders you from safely handling a firearm.
5. No Violence Convictions: You must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor for violence in the last three years.
6. Mental Capacity: You must not be mentally impaired or have applied for a Mississippi permit within five years of gaining mental capacity.
7. Psychiatric Home or Institution: You must not have been a patient of any psychiatric home or mental institution for mental instability unless you have a certificate from a doctor in charge to prove that you have not been a patient in the last five years.
8. Drug Abuse: You must not be a narcotic, drug abuser, or user of illicit substances under the Drug Enforcement Agency’s control.
9. No Warrants or Fugitive Status: You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.
10. Felony Case Waiting Period: You must not be guilty of any felony case unless three years have passed after completing your probation term.
11. Federal Laws Compliance: You must meet all federal laws concerning concealed carry permit applications.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In Mississippi

Mississippi issues different types of gun permits, including:

1. State Permit to Purchase Long Guns: Mississippi does not issue a state permit to purchase long guns.
2. State Permits to Purchase Handguns: Mississippi does not issue a state permit to purchase handguns.
3. State Permit to Open Carry: Mississippi is a permissive state, so no license is required to open carry.
4. State Permits to Conceal Carry Long Guns: Mississippi does not issue a state permit to conceal long weapons.
5. State Permits to Conceal Carry Handguns: Mississippi issued a pistol permit to conceal carry guns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Mississippi?

The cost for an initial gun permit application in Mississippi is one hundred and twelve dollars. Renewal permits cost seventy-two dollars for residents younger than sixty-five years old, and for older residents, the price is fifty-two dollars. Late renewal fees in Mississippi cost fifteen dollars.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In Mississippi

To apply for a Mississippi pistol permit, you must follow these steps:

1. Complete Firearm Training: For an enhanced permit, you need to submit certification proving that you have completed a Mississippi firearm training course. A standard concealed carry permit does not require this training.
2. Fill The Application: Complete the application form and have it notarized by an officer.
3. Submit All Necessary Documents: Visit the Department of Public Safety with your notarized application and the required documents, including two identification forms and a photograph that fits the provided box on the application form. You will also need to pay the necessary fee and have your fingerprints taken at the Department of Public Safety.

For renewal permits, you will receive a package from the Department of Public Safety ninety days before your permit’s expiry date. Submit the renewal application and other documents before the expiry date. Failure to do so may result in a fine of fifteen dollars within six months after the expiry date. After the grace period, you will not be able to renew the Mississippi permit, and you will have to apply for a new one.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With Mississippi

Mississippi is a permitless carry state, allowing individuals to possess firearms with or without a permit. It has reciprocity agreements with many states, allowing permit holders to possess firearms in those states, subject to their respective gun laws. Some of the states with reciprocity agreements include Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, and many more.

Conclusion

Mississippi, as a constitutional carry state, grants its residents the right to carry firearms without a permit. However, obtaining a pistol permit can still be essential for certain situations and to carry concealed firearms. By meeting the necessary requirements and following the application and renewal processes, residents can legally obtain a pistol permit.

Additionally, with reciprocity agreements with various states, permit holders can travel and possess firearms in those states, respecting their individual gun laws. As always, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest regulations and exercise responsible firearm ownership.

FAQs;

Q1. Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In Mississippi?

Yes, you can only conceal carry with a pistol permit in Mississippi.

Q2. How Long Is Mississippi Concealed Weapon Permit Valid?

An initial pistol permit is valid for five years, while renewal permits are valid for four years.

Q3. Can Non-Residents Apply For Mississippi Firearm Permits?

Yes, under certain circumstances, non-residents can apply for a standard pistol permit.

Q4. How Many Types Of Pistol Permits Does Mississippi Issue?

Mississippi issues two types of pistol permits: standard and enhanced.

Q5.How Can I Change The Name And Address On My Mississippi Gun License?

Notify the Department of Public Safety within thirty days of the change and provide necessary details.