Concealed Carry Law in Mississippi

Mississippi has among the most gun owner-friendly concealed carry laws in the United States.  Most law-abiding citizens qualify for a concealed weapon permit in Mississippi.

Mississippi is a shall-issue state.  This means that the Department of Public Safety is required to issue you a concealed carry permit, provided you meet the following requirements:

(a) You are a resident of Mississippi, and have been a resident for the past 12 months (residency requirement is waived if you have a valid permit issued by another state, if you are an active duty member of the Armed Forces or you are a retired law enforcement officer);

(b) You are at least 21 years-old;

(c) You do not suffer from a physical problem that prevents you from safely handling a pistol;

(d) You have no felony convictions that have not been pardoned;

(e) You do not habitually use alcohol or drugs to the point that your faculties are impaired;

(f) You certify that you desire a legal means to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense;

(g) You have not been declared mentally incompetent or been committed to a mental institution within the past 5 years;

(h) You have not had a felony criminal charge nonadjudicated or held in deferred adjudication status in the past 3 years;

(i) You are not a fugitive from justice; and

(j) You are not otherwise disqualified from possessing a firearm under federal law.

As you can see, the requirements to obtain a concealed carry permit in Mississippi are virtually identical to the federal requirements to possess a firearm.  In other words, if you are able to legally purchase a firearm at the gun store, then you should qualify for a concealed weapons permit under Mississippi law.