Mississippi Gun News

Rep. Mark Formby

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 16, 2014

There is no evidence that “Gun Free School Zones” have prevented any violence or kept anyone safe from crime.  As a matter of fact there is ample evidence that shows just the opposite.  Gun Free School Zones have place school children in greater danger.  It doesn’t take a trained criminologist to understand that someone intent on killing as many people as possible will never be stopped by a sign or another law.

Since the Federal Gun Free School Zone Act passed in 1994 there have been over 14 major incidents of mass school shootings.  It’s also interesting to note that the first school shooting after the passage of the Federal Gun Free School Zone Act was in 1997 in Pearl, MS.

In that school shooting, which took place in a gun free zone, the shooter was stopped and countless lives were saved because the Assistant Principal used his “illegal” gun to stop the mayhem.

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 15, 2014

Here is a scenario I’d like you to consider.  You are doing your weekly shopping at the local grocery store and you see two men, both have guns on their side in holsters.  One is dressed in all dark clothes, his hair is cut and he is clean-shaven.  Oh yeah, he also has a badge on his chest.

The other guy is not in a uniform he is wearing jeans and a T-Shirt, he also has a gun in a holster but it’s not as visible because he as a light jacket covering his gun.   Both guys are going about their business doing their shopping.

In this scenario, who do you trust more?  Who do feel more comfortable around? Which guy do you feel relatively sure is not a convicted felon, and has no history of drug abuse or addiction?

In Mississippi the correct answer would be the guy not in uniform.

Mississippi has no requirement that police officers submit to any State or Federal background checks.  So as a citizen you have no assurance that simply because he has been given a badge a police officer doesn’t have a history of

Gov. Bryant and Deborah Bryant

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 14, 2014

Today Gov. Phil Bryant commented on anti-gun legislation proposed by Mississippi Democrats.  In a post on his website www.GovernorBryant.com he said,

“Any bills that attempt to track ammunition, seize weapons or otherwise infringe upon the right of Mississippians to keep and bear arms are a frontal assault on the Second Amendment. I will not stand by and allow gun owner rights to be trampled in this state, and I will immediately veto such bills if they reach my desk.” 

In addition to the Governor’s statement, Speaker of the House Philip Gunn also voiced his stand against any legislation that would destroy second amendment rights on his Facebook page when he posted yeste

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 14, 2014

It seems that the gun-grabbers in the Mississippi Legislature took a day off.  When reviewing the Daily Record of the House and Senate I didn’t find any new legislation proposed today.  That’s a good thing, it gives us more time to read the junk already proposed and prepare for the fight to come.

It also gives us time to focus on the some things that are a little more fun.  This week in Las Vegas is the annual tradeshow for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. The Shot Show is the biggest event of this type in the world.

This year Sig Sauer introduced their newest pistol the Sig P320 a polymer-framed service pistol designed from the ground up with the input of law enforcement officers.  This is Sigs first stiker-fired pistol.

The P320 features a modular grip frame and removable fire control assembly pioneered by SIG SAUER, the P320 is customizable to any hand size or duty requirement. The P320 can quickly be converted from a Full-size to a Carry pistol. Slide and barrel conversions allow the P320 to change between calibers and barrel leng

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 13, 2014

Mississippi’s laws protecting its citizens from criminal prosecution when they defend themselves are some of the best in the nation.  In March 2006, Governor Haley Barbour (R) signed SB2426 (As Passed the Senate) – 2006 Castle Doctrine Law, a “Castle Doctrine” and self-defense reform law sponsored by Senator Charlie Ross (R) and Senator Ralph Doxey (R).

This measure created a presumption that if someone is breaking into your home, occupied vehicle or place of business, they are there to cause you serious bodily harm or death, and you may use any manner of force to protect yourself and your family. The bill also codified that you have no “duty to retreat” from a violent criminal attack if you are not the initial aggressor and you’re in a place where you have a right to be. It also contains certain safeguards from criminal prosecution for victims who justifiably use deadly force to protect themselves and provides for immunity from civil liability in those cases.

Attorney Clarence

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 13, 2013

Today Mississippi Representative Omeria Scott (D-District 80) introduced House Bill 231.  In her bill she proposes that anyone who sells ammunition in the State of Mississippi be required to keep records of each sale.  If passed,

every merchant, dealer or pawnbroker that sells pistol or rifle cartridges, shall keep a record of all sales of such cartridges sold, showing the description of the kind and caliber of cartridges so sold, the name, address and driver’s license or social security number of the purchaser, and the description of and the quantity of cartridges and date of sale.

These records, which include social security number, name and address would be “open to public inspection at any time to persons desiring to see it.”

Representative Scott must not be concerned about her constituents privacy since she wants to publish everyones SSN, name and address.  These folks like Rep. Scott and Sen. Jackson II do nothing but harm the State of Mississippi and its

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 13, 2013

Last week Derek Poe, an AR-15 open carrier had his rifle seized after carrying it slung across his back inside a Texas mall.  Some have written about how Mr. Poe’s actions  ”messed up” concealed carriers ability to carry in this mall because after this incident the mall owners posted signs preventing all carrying of firearms.

Personally I’m torn over the issue of carrying long guns in public.  I completely understand that it’s a constitutional right to “keep and bear arms” and these folks who carry long guns are certainly on the side of liberty and freedom.  But at the same time I also understand that when someone slings a long gun across their back while shopping for milk and cookies it draws attention and makes some folks uncomfortable.

I am adamant in my support for a citizen’s right to carry a firearm for protection but I also know that if a guy walked into Walmart with an AR-15 on his shoulder I would probably keep my eye on him

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 12, 2014

On Friday January 10, 2014 a man was shot outside a convenience store in Jackson, MS.

The victim was taken to a local hospital with a gun shot to his leg.

It’s interesting to note the “No Firearms” sign displayed on the window of the store.

Attorney David Butts of Tupelo, MS had this to say on the Facebook page of Firearms Freedom Day;

A report of a shooting outside a convenience store in Jackson today, which had a “no firearms” sign posted at the entrance, brings to mind one obvious observation and one not so obvious question. First, it is obvious that criminals have no regard whatsoever for “no firearms” signs and that, in fact, the presence of such a sign may even encourage a criminal to enter a business to commit a criminal act (robbery, etc.) since, presumably, no one (except possibly the business owner) would have a firearm.

The not-so-obvious question is “what is the responsibility of the business owner to protect his/her cu

In recent press release Sen. John Cornyn(R-TX) announced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2014, which would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that also has concealed carry laws. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Thune (R-SD), Vitter (R-LA), Graham (R-SC), Boozman (R-AR), Inhofe (R-OK), Crapo (R-ID), Burr (R-NC), Cochran (R-MS), Johanns (R-NE), Enzi (R-WY), Moran (R-KS), Roberts (R-KS), and Portman (R-OH).

Sen. Cornyn said;

“This bill strengthens two of our nation’s most fundamental rights, ensuring law-abiding gun owners can lawfully carry their weapons into like-minded states, while respecting the rights of states to adopt laws that are best-suited for the people of that state. This is an important affirmation of the Second Amendment and one that has been a top priority of law-abiding gun owners in Texas for some time. It is time to get this done.

This bill would treat a concealed carry permit much the same as a driver’s license allowing law-abiding citizens with concealed carry privileges to

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 11, 2014

This week JSU announced its plan to host an open forum on “Mississippi’s Castle Doctrine and open carry gun laws”  at the JSU Student Center Theater, 2nd floor on January 29, 2014.

The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature panelists Terry Wallace, the former city attorney for the City of Jackson, and Jim Mozingo, a former assistant city attorney for the City of Jackson. The forum also will include commentary and viewpoints from clergy, law enforcement, the Mississippi Attorney General’s office, legislators, public service agencies and students.

I hope gun owners from around the State will attend this forum.  I have no idea what the prevailing opinion of those speaking at this forum will be or what their research will show, but,  I have my suspicions that they are not beginning with all the facts.  In their announcement they are starting out with an in

Sen. Sampson Jackson II

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 10, 2013

If they can’t make you register your guns then Mississippi Senator Sampson Jackson II wants you to register your ammo.

Today Senator Jackson introduced Senate Bill 2030. This bill, known to Sen. Jackson as Keyaurdra’s Law would require that all center-fire pistol and rifle cartridges sold in Mississippi bear a unique identifying mark.  It would further require any person who sells center-fire pistol or rifle cartridge to keep a record of the serial number or unique identifying mark for a period of 5 years.

Sen. Jackson introduced this bill last year and continues to pursue his agenda of gun-control through ammo control.

The legislative season has reached Mississippi, we must stay vigilant because those like Sen. Jackson are always seeking an opportunity to limit our rights and freedoms. This bill would contribute nothing to

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 9, 2014 Mississippi Carry, Inc. takes the first step to restore the constitutional rights of citizens in Diamondhead, Rienzi, and Vardaman, MS.

During this past year several local governments have fallen prey to the fear tactics of the anti-freedom left in our state. Once the 2013 MS House Bill 2 was signed into law local governments began passing ordinances restricting the constitutional protected rights of its citizens to self-defense.

Mississippi Carry, Inc. is a grassroots, non-partisan group dedicated to protecting and advancing the fundamental right of all Mississippians to keep and bear arms. If you are not a member, JOIN NOW. It is important that we stand together in this fight.

Below is the letter sent to all three municipalities demanding they rescind the unconstitutional ordinance and restore their citizens rights.

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 9, 2014

Earlier this week United States District Court Judge Edmond Chang issued an opinion on the City of Chicago’s ban on all sale of firearms within the city limits.  The ban covers federally licensed firearms dealers; even validly licensed dealers cannot sell firearms in Chicago.  The ban also covers gifts amongst family members; only through inheritance can someone transfer a firearm to a family member.

Judge Chang’s opinion states that he believes the cities ban violates its citizens ability to exercise their second amendment right.  This case is not over and will certainly be appealed.  But within Judge Chang’s opinion was a statement that I want to look at more in-depth.

The City of Chicago states that they have imposed this law on its citizens to reduce violent crime.  As Judge Chang reviews the case and begins to lay out his opinion he refers to the cities objective, and states, “That is one of the fundamental duties of government: to protect its citizens.”

Many will read

BY DANA CRISWELL – January 8, 2014

Yesterday January 7, was the beginning of Mississippi’s 2014 Legislative session.  Three bills were introduced related to guns and self-defense.

• House Bill 10 introduced by Rep. Randy Rushing, (District 78) seeks to exempt military personnel from training requirement for an enhanced carry permit.

Read House Bill 10: Required weapons training course for enhanced carry permit; exempt servicemen.

• House Bill 64 would Authorize school superintendents to appoint employees to carry concealed weapons for security purposes at the school where they are employed provided certain licensing, training and conditions are met.  This bill was introduced by Representatives Mark Forby (District 108) and John L. Moore (District 60)

Read House Bill 64: School property; authorize district superinte

Mississippi Representative Bubba Carpenter displays his support for citizen’s right to open carry.

BY RICK WARD – January 6, 2014

Mississippi’s 2011 Enhanced Carry Law shows promise in the reduction of crime for Mississippi cities similar to what cities like Chicago have seen.   A comparison of the FBI statistics recently released for 2012 and statistics from other studies show that people are changing their minds about gun control as the obvious decrease in crime prevails around the country.

A hot-off-the-press study published in several venues show Chicago’s murder rate at its lowest since 1965.  Many believe it is a result of the new gun law order by federal court that required Illinois develop a concealed carry law.

Alan Gottlieb, Executive Vice-president of the Second Amendment Foundation (with 650,000 members) was quoted on January 3, 2014 by PR Newswire regarding criminals fearing gun carriers.

“One thing abou