Mississippi Concealed Carry Laws

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Constitutional Carry Yes, but with exceptions. A license is not required for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver to be carried upon the person in a sheath, belt holster, or shoulder holster or in a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case if the person is not engaged in criminal activity other than a misdemeanor traffic offense, is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under state or federal law, and is not in a prohibited location.
Open Carry Lawful
Permit honored in 34 states
Mississippi honors 50 states

Mississippi Gun Laws

Open Carry

Lawful

Lawful for anyone at least 18 years of age who can legally possess a firearm. The firearm must be carried in a holster, sheath or scabbard that is at least partially visible above clothing anywhere where guns are not otherwise prohibited.
Permitted

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Only when asked by the officer
Permitted

State Parks

Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Permitted

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

No specific restriction
Permitted

Firearms at Colleges

Concealed guns allowed by law, but schools limit locations/who carries
Informational

Firearms at K-12 Schools

Mississippi permit holder who is a non-student may have loaded handgun in vehicle only.
Restricted

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict on a church by church basis
Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

None
Permitted

Magazine Capacity Limitations

No restrictions
Permitted

Suppressor Ownership

Ownership & Hunting Legal.
Permitted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Anyone 18+ can carry a firearm within the confines of any motor vehicle
Permitted

Firearm Law Uniformity

Cities may restrict parks and public meetings but otherwise laws are uniform throughout the state.
Informational

Permit Training Requirements

No training required for the basic permit. The enhanced permit requires taking a class from a State DPS Certifie Instructor
Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Non-resident permits are only available to military personnel
Restricted

Constitutional Carry

Yes, but with exceptions. A license is not required for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver to be carried upon the person in a sheath, belt holster, or shoulder holster or in a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case if the person is not engaged in criminal activity other than a misdemeanor traffic offense, is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under state or federal law, and is not in a prohibited location.
Permitted

Duty to Retreat

No Duty to Retreat
Permitted

Places Off Limits

This list is specific to those with a basic permit as those with an enhanced permit can can legally carry in some places that those with basic permits or no permits cannot:
Any police, sheriff or highway patrol station: any detention facility, prison or jail.
 Any courthouse; any courtroom, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his courtroom;
 Any polling place; any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity; any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof
Any school, college or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
 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;
 Any elementary or secondary school facility; any junior college, community college, college or university facility unless for the purpose of participating in any authorized firearms-related activity;
 Inside the passenger terminal of any airport, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal if the firearm is encased for shipment ,for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft;
 Any church or other place of worship;
 Or any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.
 In addition to the places enumerated in this subsection, the carrying of a concealed pistol or revolver may be disallowed in anyplace in the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of such place by the placing of a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not
less than ten (10) feet that the "carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited."
 No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the participants in a parade or demonstration for which a permit is required to carry a concealed pistol or revolver
Informational

State Contact Info

Mississippi Hwy Patrol
PO Box 958
Jackson MS 39205
601-987-1212
www.dps.state.ms.us
Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

Department of Public Safety
Informational

Length of Permit Validity

5 years
Informational

Permit Application Process

Complete an application and bring it to a DPS substation or the headquarters in Jackson. link
Informational

Mississippi Permit Reciprocity

Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →

Your Mississippi resident permit is honored in 34 states

AK AL AR AZ CO FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MI MO MT NC ND NH NM OH OK PA SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WI WV WY

Mississippi honors resident permits from 50 states

AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

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