Mississippi Governor Bryant Signs NRA-Backed Pro-Second Amendment Reform Legislation

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) applauds Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant today for signing into law Senate Bill 2394 and Senate Bill 2619.  The Senate adopted conference committee reports on SB 2394 on a 49-3 vote and SB 2619 unanimously. The House passed them by margins of 103-15 and 98-18, respectively.

The new NRA-backed laws will reduce concealed carry permit fees, allow permitless concealed carry in purses and briefcases, and streamline enhanced carry training requirements for active military and veterans.

“These measures provide key reforms that will strengthen the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Mississippians,” said Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the NRA-ILA. “On behalf of the NRA and our five-million members, we thank Governor Phil Bryant, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn and the Mississippi Legislature for their leadership over the last four years to allow citizens to more fully exercise their right to self-defense.”

 SB 2619 takes effect immediately and SB 2394 will take effect on July, 2015.  Other key provisions of the measures include protection from federal overregulation of commonly-owned rifle ammunition, lowering the age requirement for a carry permit from 21 to 18 for National Guard or Reserve unit personnel, and clarifying limits on where cities and counties can regulate enhanced carry permit holders in light of a recent Attorney General opinion.

“The right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to America and to Mississippi,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “I have always been a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and I am proud to sign these bills into law. I thank the National Rifle Association for their support of these measures.”

The NRA also recognizes the leadership of House Judiciary B Chairman Andy Gipson, bill sponsors Senator Terry Burton and Senator Haskins Montgomery, and the members of the conference committees on SB 2394 and SB 2619 for their critical work to pass these important reforms: Sen. Nancy Collins, Sen. John Polk, Sen. Phillip Gandy, Sen. Philip Moran, Rep. John Moore, Rep. Becky Currie, Rep. Sam Mims and Rep. Joey Hood.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.