Issuing Authority:
Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Highway Patrol
1st time applications are now available at your nearest Highway Patrol Substation. There are substations located in Jackson, Greenwood, Batesville, New Albany, Starkville, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, and Brookhaven. Be sure to check “Firearm Permit Locations” for date & time of processing.
Out Of State Permit Issue:
MISSISSIPPI DOES NOT HAVE NON-RESIDENT PERMITS. Mississippi Law 45-9-101 (2) (a) states “The Department of Public Safety shall issue a license if the applicant: is a resident of the state and has been a resident for twelve (12) months or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application”.
NICS/Background Check:
Mississippi laws require a background check thru the FBI.
Permit Valid For:
The permit is valid for five (5) years.
Permit Issued Timeline:
Within forty five (45) days after the date of receipt of the items listed in subsection (5) of this section:
(i) Issue the license: or
(ii) Deny the application based solely on the ground that the applicant fails to meet the requirements.
Cost:
The fee for a first time Individual Firearm Permit is $132.00.
The renewal fee is $82.00. There is a $15 late fee for expired permits.
The fee for a Security Guard Permit is $132.00.
Requirements:
1. Twenty-one (21) years of age
2. Applicant must have been a resident of the state for over 12 months
3. Or to a person with a valid out of state license
4. Or is on active military duty
5. Or a retired law enforcement officer seeking residency
6. No suffering from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun
7. No drug or alcohol abusers
8. No convicted felons or fugitives from justice
9. No mental problems
10 No violent misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years
11. Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law
Required Documents:
1. The applicant must submit fingerprints
2. A full-face photograph
3. Pay a fingerprint fee and $100 license fee.
Renewal Information:
RENEWAL packets will continue to be mailed 90 days prior to expiration as stated in the statute. REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR ADDRESS CURRENT. Please contact us regarding lost, misplaced or undelivered renewal packets.
Change of Address:
Within thirty (30) days after the changing of a permanent address, you must notify the Department of Public Safety in writing. The change of address should be mailed to the Firearm Permit Unit, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205-0958. Be sure to include in your correspondence your name, permit number, old and new addresses, and a contact number in case of questions.
Lost or Destroyed Permit:
Within thirty (30) days after having a permit lost or destroyed, you must notify the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in writing. A notarized statement to DPS that the permit has been lost or destroyed is required. If your permit is lost or destroyed, you may obtain a duplicate for $15. Duplicates are done at the Firearm Permit Unit at DPS headquarters and at the substations according to their published schedule. If you need further explanation, you can contact your nearest substation or the Firearm Permit Unit at DPS headquarters.
Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
The licensee must carry the license, together with valid identification, at all times in which the licensee is carrying a concealed pistol or revolver and must display both the license and proper identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer. A violation of the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and shall be enforceable by summons.
Automobile carry:
Mississippi Law Sec. 97-37-1 (2) states “It shall not be a violation of this section for any person over the age of eighteen (18) to carry a firearm or deadly weapon concealed in whole or in part within the confines of his own home or his place of business, or any real property associated with his home or business or within any motor vehicle”.
If you will be traveling on the Natchez Trace Federal Parkway, please contact them directly at (662)842-1572 for their rules & regulation on transporting your firearm.
Places off-limits when carrying:
1. Courthouse
2. Detention or police facility
3. Polling place
4. Meeting of a government or legislative body
5. Public park
6. Schools
7. Colleges
8. Professional athletic event
9. Place of worship
10. Parade or demonstration
11. Premises posted “carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited,”
12. Where prohibited by federal law
13. It is unlawful to carry a firearm in any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic beverages; any portion of an establishment in which beer or light wine is consumed on the premises, that is primarily devoted to such purpose
14. The passenger terminal of any airport, except if the firearm is encased for shipment.
Alcohol and Drugs:
Waiting For Information. As always, alcohol/drugs don’t mix with firearms. That’s a pretty simple rule of thumb.
It is unlawful to carry a firearm in any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic beverages; any portion of an establishment in which beer or light wine is consumed on the premises, that is primarily devoted to such purpose
Open Carry:
Generally limited to legitimate, firearms-related activity.
Localities with Varying Laws:
For additional information please contact your local county Sheriff’s office.
To view a state’s concealed carry permit information click on the state. The state’s color represents whether a state is Shall Issue, May Issue, Constitutional Carry, or Right Denied.
