Mississippi is a constitutional carry state. You can open carry firearms in the state without the possession of a gun permit. The state has a shall-issue policy and will issue concealed carry permits to applicants that meet all the requirements provided by the gun laws. Processing of permits is carried out by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

To purchase firearms from private dealers and gun shows in the state, you do not need a permit and you do not need to complete a firearm background check. However, when purchasing a firearm from federally licensed dealers in the state, you need to complete a criminal background check.

Possession of Firearms in Mississippi

Open carry in Mississippi is allowed for anyone that is eighteen years old or more and does not have any federal or state prohibition for the possession of firearms. To open carry in the state, the firearm must be a holster or any sheath that is a little visible on clothing. Mississippi gun law also prohibits open carry and possession of firearms in certain parts of the state.

Although Mississippi issues concealed carry permits, you can still conceal carry in the state without any license due to constitutional carry Mississippi. The state will allow you to conceal carry as long as you do not have a federal or state prohibition to do so, the state does not also define any age requirement for the possession of firearms

Since you can conceal carry without a license, the state permits are majorly for reciprocity issues. Mississippi issues two types of gun permits, the standard permit, and an enhanced permit. With the enhanced permit you will be able to possess firearms in more parts of the state.

To apply for the permit, you must be at least twenty-one years old. Exceptions are made for only members of the military, and their required aged is eighteen years or more. Residents and non-residents that already own a state permit from other states can apply for permits in the state. Military personnel stationed in Mississippi are also allowed to apply for gun permits.

To apply for the enhanced permits in the state, you need to complete a firearm training course approved by the public safety department of Mississippi. Because permitless carry Mississippi the state allows everybody, even non-residents, to possess firearms without a permit.

According to Mississippi gun laws, as long as you do not have any prohibition for the possession of firearms, you can carry them in your vehicle. Handguns can be in holsters, sheaths, bags, or any firearm case. Mississippi gun laws also allow the concealed carry of firearms in rest areas along roadsides.

For the possession of firearms in state forests, parks, and wildlife management areas, if you have a Mississippi firearm permit, you can conceal carry in these areas of the state. You can also conceal carry in the restaurant area of such ventures, except there is a post prohibiting the possession of firearms within the premises.

However, it is a prohibition to possess firearms in car areas, with or without a Mississippi pistol permit. Mississippi gun laws allow owners of private properties in the state to regulate or prohibit the possession of firearms within their premises, and this law applies to Hotels and similar establishments.

Any hotel that does not allow the possession of firearms on its premises must have a post prohibiting it. Hotels can also develop privacy policies for the regulation of firearms within their premises. But Mississippi gun statute indicates that no employee or landlord may come up with any policy that restricts the possession of firearms in a vehicle in a parking lot.

Places Where You Cannot Possess Firearms in Mississippi

Even with a gun license from Mississippi, you are not allowed to possess firearms in some parts of the state.

  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in school premises, and this includes colleges, universities, and technical institutions.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms at any professional sporting event that does not have to do with firearms.
  • You cannot possess firearms within the premises of a courthouse and during court proceedings.
  • You cannot possess firearms in a police station or offices in your local county.
  • You cannot possess firearms in a prison or any state correctional facility.
  • You cannot possess firearms in a polling unit where voting is taking place.
  • You cannot possess firearms during government officials’ meetings and that of a legislative body.
  • You cannot possess firearms in a place of worship unless permitted by the security team in charge.
  • You cannot possess firearms in any building or private property that has a post prohibiting the possession of firearms within the premises.
  • You cannot possess firearms in recreational areas and public grounds.
  • You cannot possess firearms in any organization that is licensed to manufacture alcoholic drinks.
  • You cannot possess firearms during a public demonstration or a parade.
  • You cannot possess firearms in airport terminals except if the firearm is in a case for transportation reasons.
  • You cannot possess firearms in a place where the possession of firearms has been prohibited by federal laws

For an Enhanced Permit the following restrictions are regulated:

  • You cannot possess firearms in educational surroundings, except on campus with your enhanced permit.
  • You cannot possess firearms within the premises of a police station at the local sheriff’s office.
  • You cannot possess firearms in a courtyard and during court proceedings except permitted by the chief judge in charge.
  • You cannot possess firearms in secured areas of an airport.
  • You cannot possess firearms private buildings and properties that have signage prohibiting the possession of firearms within the premises. With a Mississippi enhanced CCW permit, this will be seen as trespassing instead of a violation of gun laws.
  • You cannot possess firearms in places restricted by federal laws.

Application for Gun Permit in Mississippi

You will need to submit a certification that proves that you have completed the firearm training course if you are applying for an enhanced permit. But you do not need a training certificate for a standard concealed carry permit.

Then you have to complete your application form, have it notarized, and visit the Department of Public Safety to submit your notarized application. Some other documents you will need include two identification forms, a photograph to fit in the box provided in your application form. You will be required to pay the necessary fee and take your fingerprints too. The department of public safety will send you a mail if your application is accepted.

Your permit will be valid for five years, ninety days before the expiry date, you will receive a package from the department of public safety. As soon as the package gets to you, you can start applying for a permit renewal. The application must be filed alongside other documents before the expiry date. Failure to submit a renewal application before this date means that you have to pay a fine of fifteen dollars within six months after the application has expired.

After these six months’ grace, you will not be able to renew the Mississippi permit anymore, and you have to apply for a new one.

Requirements for the Application of Gun Permits in Mississippi

To apply for gun permits in Mississippi, you must meet all state application requirements.

You must be of the minimum age of twenty-one or eighteen if you are a member of the United States Armed Force.

For a resident’s permit, you must have lived in Mississippi for more than one year. This is not applicable for a non-resident permit, a permit for a member of the military and retired law enforcement officers in the state.

You must not be a convict of a felony without state or federal pardon.

You must not have any physical disability or deformity that can hinder you from safely handling a firearm.

You must not be a convict of a misdemeanor for violence in the last three years.

You must not be mentally impaired or apply for a Mississippi CCW permit in less than five years of gaining mental capacity.

You must not be admitted to 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.

You must not be a narcotic, drug abuser, or user of illicit substances that are under the control of the Drug Enforcement Agency.

You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.

You must not be guilty of any felony case unless three years after you have completed your probation term, and all other court requirements are met.

You must meet all federal laws that concern concealed carry permit application.

Is Constitutional Carry Mississippi Allowed in All Parts of the State?

Mississippi state government reserves all rights to regulate the possession of firearms in the state. Local government areas are not allowed to enact laws or ordinances on firearms possession, transportation, sales, purchase, license, taxation.

This implies that permitless carry Mississippi is allowed in counties, municipalities, districts, and all regions of the state.

Additional Resources

Mississippi Gun Laws
Mississippi Concealed Carry Laws
Mississippi Open Carry Laws
Mississippi Gun Permit Laws

Get Your
Concealed Carry Weapons Permit 
Online In Minutes

About the Author

Follow me


{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}