Passage of 90% Constitutional Carry Appears Likely in Mississippi

By Dean WeingartenSneaky Pete Holster

Dean Weingarten
Dean Weingarten

Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)- After a rocky start, Mississippi appears ready to pass a 90% constitutional carry bill.  Bickering among second amendment supporters seemed to doom constitutional carry in the state early this year.  Hard feelings were ignited between longtime legislative supporters of the second amendment, and serious, unfounded allegations were tossed about.   But it appears that those supporting the second  amendment in the Mississippi legislature have overcome those difficulties and passed a significant reform to restore second amendment rights on Friday, 27 March, 2015.

SB 2394  started off as an incremental reform to amend the concealed carry permit fees in Mississippi.  It became a vehicle to enact 90% constitutional carry in the state.   It appears that in the conference committee, the legislative leaders realized that all the bickering was about non-issues, and that they agreed far more than they disagreed.   So they added this sensible paragraph to the bill that had already passed the House and Senate.  From SB 2394:

(24)  No license shall be required under this section for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver carried in a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case.

The photograph at the top of the story is a Sneaky Pete holsters designed to look much like a cell phone or tablet holster.  It has proven so popular that the company has started to produce holsters for cell phones as well.  It meets the definition above.  There have long been fanny packs and holsters disguised as day planners as well.  I made and sold a number of book holsters that would also meet the definition.  It appears that SB 2394 is on the fast track.  It has been passed by the House and is expected to easily pass the Senate, according to the clarionledger.com:

The Senate is expected to approve the agreement and send it to the governor.
“Most ladies don’t want to carry a gun on their hip for the world to see,” said House Judiciary Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton. “Men may, but ladies may not.”

Governor Bryant did not waffle or hesitate about his intention to sign the bill when it reaches his desk.

Gov. Phil Bryant said he will “absolutely” sign the bill into law, and noted his wife, Deborah, might find it handy for carrying her Ruger .380.

Observers of the restoration of second amendment rights across the nation may have a difficult time deciding if Mississippi will qualify as a constitutional carry state.  Constitutional carry refers to the situation when the Bill of Rights was ratified, and there were no restrictions on the carry of arms, concealed or openly carried.

As a practical matter, the bill will bring Mississippi so close to constitutional carry as to matter very little.   The bill also reduces the fees for a concealed carry permit from $100 to $80, and eliminates the fees for active duty military personal and disabled veterans.

As John Lott has noted, any reduction of fees results in an increase of permit holders.

With a constitutional carry bill ready to go to Governor Brownback in Kansas, and another bill getting strong support in Maine, 2015 may prove to be a banner year in restoring second amendment rights, in spite of vetoes by Democrat Governors in West Virginia and Montana.
c2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included. Link to Gun Watch

About Dean Weingarten;

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.

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White Eagle

90% Constitutional is still violation of the 2nd Amendment!!! But that’s better than Texans having to pay the state, register and take classes to line the pockets of a few. Still think it’s about making sure that it’s a safety issue, that they came up with a safety class? If that was true then American Veterans and Military would be exempted since they have had more safety and shooting in their first year in the military then non-military will ever have in their entire life. No, it’s about government maintaining control over supposed free citizens. This is proof that only… Read more »

Susan P

Basically they passed a law allowing Constitutional carry as long as you carry in something that does NOT look like a holster. This to appease the whiny folks who fear a holstered firearm. Hopefully, they will be able to pass 100% Constitutional Carry within the next year.

Robert Thompson

2nd amendment give everyone the right to carry. .

175jfs

Terrible article. How about simply saying what is illegal under this law. If it requires a permit it’s NOT CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY. 90% doesn’t cut it.

fishydude

So, less safe off body carry will be okay without a permit. Why not do it right the first time and allow 100% constitutional carry?
How about a belt mounted “satchel?”

BrianD

Sometimes you play the game that the Liberals have mastered… baby steps until you get what you want. This was a pretty big step, and after a couple of years, passing full Constitutional carry should be a breeze.

teebonicus

Dean, your gift for coining the unintended ironic pun is unmatched:

“2015 may prove to be a ‘banner’ year in restoring second amendment rights, in spite of vetoes by Democrat Governors in West Virginia and Montana.”

HAR! ‘Banner’ agita is more like it….

Chip

Technically, IMO, it’s not constitutional carry, but it’s close.

It sounds like if you carried it under a coat in a typical belt holster, you’re not ok, since they are not a “fully enclosed case.” But if you carry it in a Sneaky Pete or purse, or even in a fanny pack, you’re fine. Kind of odd.

Vanns40

WV wasted time and effort knowing the Gov. would veto that bill. Their efforts would be far better spent with an overwhelming defeat of the Gov. and Joe Manchin.

Chip

I really hope that WV can pass (again) the constitutional carry bill EARLY next year so there is time to override a veto, if needed.