This piece discusses the firearm and ammunition laws in the state of Mississippi. To do so, the piece begins with the ammunition laws, with a focus on the legal processes to have ammunition shipped to a residential address in MS. From there, the piece covers the gun laws of the state, first looking at the processes to buy firearms in Mississippi, and then the laws that govern the carriage of firearms in the state.
Nothing in this piece should be taken as legal advice. Instead, we hope that the knowledge here can be useful for you so that you can make your own, informed decisions.
Mississippi is one of the many states that have preemption. This means that the state has forbidden localities such as cities and counties from making their own firearms laws that are more strict than those in place at the state level. Preemption makes life simpler for gun owners, as it means that once you understand the gun laws at the state level, that understanding can be applied to the entire state of MS.
Mississippi is among the most permissive firearm states in the country. There are no major ammunition, magazine, or firearms bans in the state. The state also has permitless carry for those who want to either openly or concealed-carry a firearm. Thus, most of the firearms rules that apply in Mississippi come from the Federal level.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Mississippi
First, we will cover the ammo laws of MS.
The state of Mississippi does not have any blanket bans on types of ammunition. Thus, buying ammunition in the state follows the guidelines set out by the Federal government rather than state-level laws.
The ATF regulates the purchase of ammunition in the entire country, thus, its regulations apply even in the more permissive states such as Mississippi. To meet ATF requirements to purchase ammunition, buyers have to meet two criteria:
The first is an age requirement: buyers have to be eighteen years of age or older to buy ammunition for long guns such as rifles and shotguns, and twenty-one or older to buy ammunition for handguns. Secondly, buyers cannot be prohibited persons. The ATF defines a prohibited person, generally, as convicted felons or those who have been convicted of domestic violence, people who have been declared mentally unfit in a court of law, and people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.
Assuming that the buyer meets those ATF requirements, then the state of Mississippi has no problem with ammunition being shipped to a residential address. Keep in mind that carriers might impose their own additional rules. For instance, a carrier might ask for an adult with a valid ID to be present to sign for a package that contains ammunition.
Since the main laws governing ammunition in Mississippi are federal, the state’s laws on ammo are as permissive as they can be.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Mississippi
Next, we will do the same exercise for Mississippi’s gun laws.
Mississippi’s firearms laws are similarly permissive when compared to its ammunition laws. The state does not have any blanket bans on so-called assault weapons either by name or by making a list of features. There is no magazine ban, either, and the state is fine with residents owning NFA items, provided that all of the Federal paperwork is in order.
Since the state’s firearms laws are permissive, the firearm-buying process follows federal guidelines. To buy a gun in Mississippi at a gun store, the buyer should go to the store with a valid ID and a form of payment. The FFL will have the buyer fill out Form 4473 to conduct a background check. As soon as the background check and form of payment are both clear, the buyer is welcome to go home with the gun: Mississippi does not impose additional waiting periods on firearms sales.
The state does not require that private sellers conduct background checks when selling guns, but it is always advisable to be reasonably sure that the buyer is neither too young nor a prohibited person.
Mississippi does not require a permit for the open or concealed carriage of a firearm within the state. The only small caveat for this is that the state does require that anyone carrying a pistol has to do so in a holster. While this might be seen as a restriction, the vast majority of people who carry pistols already do so in a holster, so this is not a major ding against the firearms permissiveness of the state.
Like many states that have adopted permitless carry, Mississippi does still issue concealed carry permits. The main benefit of such a permitting arrangement is that it allows permit holders to carry out of state. Indeed, Mississippi’s permit is fairly widely recognized, especially in neighboring states.
States typically have a list of places where it is forbidden to carry firearms with or without a permit. Mississippi is no exception, and bans the carriage of firearms in:
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Legislative meetings
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Non-firearms sporting events
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Churches
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Airport terminals
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Bars
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Police facilities
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“Places of Nuisance” (For example, while rioting)
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Correctional facilities
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Rehabs
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Convention centers
This list is a common one in nearly every state. One thing to keep in mind is that even in the most permissive states, it is illegal to carry a gun onto Federal property. Commonly, this includes your local Post Office, even if the relevant signage is hidden on the back wall.
Of note, Mississippi is home to ATAC Defense, which makes high-end and custom AR-style rifles and pistols.
Overall, the firearms laws in Mississippi are among the most permissive in the country. While requiring all pistol carriers to do so in a holster is a slight restriction, it also probably cuts down on the number of negligent discharges in public places. Considering that this is one of the only requirements to carry a firearm in the state, it is not a massive restriction. Buying, owning, and carrying firearms in Mississippi is simple at the state level, and the vast majority of regulations come from the Federal government.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Mississippi
The general sales tax rate in Mississippi is 7%, and some localities have taxes up to 1% greater, leading to an 8% tax rate. Mississippi does not impose additional taxes on the sale of firearms or ammunition, which is good considering that the 7% base tax rate is one of the higher sales tax rates in the country.
More Resources:
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The ATF maintains a list of every FFL in the country, including in Mississippi. This list is kept up to date and can be used to locate local gun stores. Typically, gun stores are Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is an excellent tool for finding places to shoot. Using the city, zip code, and mileage tools, you can find Mississippi ranges that are convenient for you. Users can add new ranges, too, and the information is regularly verified.
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There are a number of well-rated gun stores in the state.
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Mississippi Gun Owners is an active forum that’s a good resource for local events, sales at local gun stores, and news to keep you up to date on gun ownership and laws in the state.