Yes. Since July 1, 2016 (HB 786 / Ch. 466 of 2016), Miss. Code Ann. Section 45-9-101(24) allows any person 18 or older who is not a prohibited person to...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Yes. Since July 1, 2016 (HB 786 / Ch. 466 of 2016), Miss. Code Ann. Section 45-9-101(24) allows any person 18 or older who is not a prohibited person to carry a loaded or unloaded pistol on the person in a sheath, belt holster, shoulder holster, purse, handbag, satchel, similar bag, briefcase, or fully enclosed case without a permit. The carrier must not be in a Section 45-9-101(13) prohibited place. See CONSTITUTIONAL_CARRY.
For constitutional carry under Section 45-9-101(24): 18.
For the basic Section 45-9-101 License to Carry: 21, with an exception for persons 18 to 20 who are members or veterans of the United States Armed Forces (including National Guard or Reserve) holding a valid Mississippi driver's license, state ID, or tribal ID. See PERMIT_BASICS.
No. Open carry of a pistol or revolver is permitted in Mississippi without any permit. Section 97-37-1(4) defines "concealed" so that a pistol carried in a wholly or partially visible sheath, holster, scabbard, or case is NOT concealed at all and falls outside the Section 97-37-1 criminal prohibition. The Mississippi Constitution at art. III, Section 12 provides the constitutional backstop. See OPEN_CARRY.
Three reasons:
See PERMIT_BASICS and RECIPROCITY.
The Enhanced overlay under Section 97-37-7 unlocks carry into most Section 45-9-101(13) prohibited places, EXCEPT:
Concretely, the Enhanced overlay unblocks: courthouses (outside courtrooms during proceedings), polling places, government meetings, the Legislature, athletic events, colleges and universities, bars and the bar areas of restaurants, places of worship, and parades and demonstrations. See PROHIBITED_PLACES.
Yes - all of them. Miss. Code Ann. Section 45-9-101(19) recognizes any valid concealed-carry license issued by another state. Mississippi has the broadest reciprocity posture in the United States. See RECIPROCITY.
No. Mississippi has no statutory duty to inform. A Section 45-9-101 LTC holder must display the LTC and identification upon demand under Section 45-9-101(1)(b), but the holder is not required to volunteer the information without being asked. See DUTY_TO_INFORM.
Yes. Section 97-37-1(2) allows any person over 18 to carry a firearm or deadly weapon concealed within any motor vehicle. The firearm may be loaded. It may be on the carrier's person, in the glove compartment, in the console, under the seat, or anywhere else in the vehicle. No special storage, separation of ammunition, or unloading requirement applies. See VEHICLE_CARRY.
Practical guidance: even with the Enhanced overlay, avoid alcohol consumption while carrying. See UNDER_INFLUENCE.
K-12 educational property: no. Section 97-37-17 makes it a felony to possess a firearm on K-12 educational property without authorization. The Enhanced overlay does not unblock K-12 school grounds. See PROHIBITED_PLACES.
Colleges and universities: prohibited under the basic LTC and constitutional carry; the Enhanced overlay unblocks college and university facilities.
The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q), adds a 1,000-foot buffer around K-12 schools. A Mississippi LTC holder is exempt under Section 922(q)(2)(B)(ii); a constitutional carrier without an LTC is not.
No. Mississippi has not enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order or "red flag" statute. Existing involuntary-commitment, domestic-violence-protective-order, and criminal-process mechanisms apply, layered with federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) prohibitors. See RED_FLAG.
You will be investigated. Mississippi's self-defense framework at Miss. Code Ann. Section 97-3-15 provides strong protections:
Engage counsel immediately and cooperate with law enforcement through counsel. See USE_OF_FORCE and CASTLE_DOCTRINE.
It depends on the knife. Section 97-37-1(1) bars carrying concealed: bowie knives, dirk knives, butcher knives, switchblade knives, metallic knuckles, and blackjacks. A Mississippi LTC under Section 45-9-101 does NOT exempt the holder from this rule (the LTC authorizes "stun gun, concealed pistol or revolver" only).
Other knives (pocket knives, utility knives, kitchen knives in normal transit) are not on the Section 97-37-1(1) list and are not reached by the concealed-carry restriction.
Yes, subject to federal NFA registration and the $200 federal transfer tax. Mississippi imposes no additional state-level restrictions on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, or other NFA items. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks permits suppressor use for hunting in Mississippi (verify current MDWFP guidance for the species and season). See NFA_ITEMS.
Under Mississippi state law, yes. Mississippi has no universal background check requirement on private transfers between residents. Federal law in 18 U.S.C. Section 922(d) prohibits transferring a firearm to a person you know or have reasonable cause to believe is a prohibited person. Federal law also prohibits interstate private transfers; both parties must be Mississippi residents for the in-state private-sale carve-out to apply.
A private seller may, but is not required to, run the buyer through a Mississippi FFL for a NICS check as a safe-harbor measure. See RESTRICTIONS.
Basic LTC: $80 application fee plus a fingerprint processing fee (typically $32 to $40 bundled). Total: roughly $112 to $120 for a first-time application.
Enhanced overlay: $100 application fee (in addition to the basic LTC if not already held), plus the cost of the required Section 97-37-7(a) safety course ($50 to $150 typical).
Renewal: $40 (basic LTC); $50 (Enhanced overlay).
Late renewal: +$15 within six months of expiration.
Lost or destroyed permit replacement: $15.
See FEES_COSTS.
DPS has 120 days from receipt of a complete application to issue or deny under Section 45-9-101(6). In practice, the most common cause of delay is fingerprint scheduling at DPS Driver Services centers. Plan for 60 to 90 days from application to receipt of the LTC.
Yes. Section 45-9-101(7) provides for denial appeal. Submit additional documentation rebutting the reason within the timeframes set by Section 45-9-101(7). A final adverse decision is subject to judicial review in the appropriate circuit court. See APPLICATION_PROCESS.
Federal law in 18 U.S.C. Section 926A protects interstate transport of an unloaded firearm in a locked container, with ammunition stored separately, during the in-transit portion. Both the origin and destination state must allow the traveler to possess the firearm. Within Mississippi, Section 97-37-1(2) is more permissive than Section 926A; the federal floor matters mostly for travel outside Mississippi. See TRANSPORT.
See RESOURCES.
This page covers one part of our Mississippi concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Mississippi guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.