Mississippi State Law Summary

Posted on January 2, 2012

Last updated October 24, 2011

In our publication Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence, the Law Center ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 29 different firearms-related policy areas. Mississippi ranked 48th out of 50, having some of the weakest guns laws in the country.

Mississippi does not:

Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;
Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;
License or significantly regulate firearms dealers;
Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
Regulate unsafe handguns;
Afford local law enforcement discretion in issuing concealed carry licenses;
Require the licensing of gun owners; or
Impose registration requirements on firearms.

Local governments in Mississippi generally lack authority to regulate firearms and ammunition, and local law enforcement must issue a concealed handgun permit to any applicant who meets basic qualifications.

Mississippi ranks 2nd among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 535 people died from firearm-related injuries in Mississippi. In 2009, Mississippi supplied the highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and exports considerably more crime guns than it imports.