Whether you’re new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed carry permit may seem daunting. It doesn’t have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing the laws. Applying for a CCW varies by state. Read about the process for getting a Mississippi Standard Firearm Permit (SFP) or Enhanced Firearm Permit (E-SFP) below.

Similar to permit requirements, states vary greatly in their processes for how an applicant obtains a concealed handgun permit, what their permits/licenses are called, whether licenses include photographs, whether fingerprinting is required, license duration, license costs and turnaround times. Some states allow an applicant to complete an application online, while others require an in-person visit to the office of the respective issuing authority. There are even states that require the applicant to provide a list of non-related character references.

Concealed Carry Permit Basics

Mississippi is a shall-issue, permitless carry state. Shall-issue means licensing authorities are compelled to issue a license as long as an applicant meets the basic requirements set out by state law. Licenses are issued at the state level by the Department of Public Safety.

Open carry is legal in Mississippi without a permit for anyone at least 18 years of age who can legally possess a firearm with several restrictions, including that the firearm be carried in a holster, sheath or scabbard that is at least partially visible above clothing anywhere where guns are not otherwise prohibited. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and bars. Concealed carry is legal without a permit for anyone who can legally possess a firearm, as long as the handgun is carried in a holster or sheath. Mississippi statutes don’t address the minimum age for permitless concealed carry.

For reciprocity reasons, two types of permits are still available at the state level: the Standard Firearms Permit (SFP) and an enhanced version (E-SFP), which allows carry in more locations. A permit applicant must be 21 years old (or at least 18 and a member or the military or a veteran) and either be a resident of Mississippi, a non-resident with a valid permit from another state, active-duty member of the military stationed in Mississippi or be a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state.

Federally Prohibited Persons

The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 make it illegal for a person who fits into any of the prohibited categories to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms or ammunition. These laws prevent a state from issuing a concealed handgun permit/license as it would be illegal for people who fit in these categories, by federal law, to own or possess a gun.

What Are the License Requirements in Mississippi?

An applicant must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age or 18 if a member of the military
  • Have been a resident of the state for more than 12 months (although this may be waived if the applicant possesses a valid permit from another state, is on active military duty and stationed in the state, or is a retired law enforcement officer residing in the state)
  • Not have been convicted of a felony without having been pardoned
  • Not be suffering from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun
  • Have no violent misdemeanor convictions within the last three years
  • Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or must wait five years from the date of his or her restoration of mental capacity by court order
  • Not have been committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility, unless he or she possesses a certificate from a psychiatrist licensed in Mississippi stating that he or she has not suffered from disability for a period of five years
  • Not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired
  • Not be a fugitive from justice
  • Not have had an adjudication of guilt withheld or imposition of sentence suspended on any felony unless three years have elapsed since probation, or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled
  • Meet federal law requirements

Do I Need Firearms Training in Mississippi?

Yes and no. There is no requirement for standard firearms permit applicants to complete a handgun training course. Applicants for enhanced firearms permits must complete an eight-hour course on firearms safety taught by an enhanced-permit-certified firearm instructor.

Exemptions – With proper documentation, any member or veteran of any active or reserve component branch of the U.S. armed forces, honorably retired law enforcement officer or honorably retired veteran having completed law enforcement or combat training with pistols or other handguns may be exempt from the training requirement for E-SFPs. 

A Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Class from the USCCA meets permitting requirements in Mississippi. Find a class near you!

How Do I Get a Concealed Handgun Permit in Mississippi?

Step 1: Download the application.

Step 2: Complete the application and have it notarized.

Step 3: Take the notarized application to the Department of Public Safety or a Highway Patrol substation. You will also need:

    • Two forms of ID
    • A photo that fits in the box on Page 12 if the application.

Your fingerprints will be taken

You will be notified if your application has been approved.

 

For more information, visit the USCCA Mississippi gun laws page now…