Posted on 06/28/2013 6:29:03 AM PDT by Sybeck1
HERNANDO- A new law giving Mississippi residents the right to openly carry firearms without the need of a gun permit will go into effect July 1.
Local law enforcement officials will receive instructions from the DeSoto County District Attorney on Thursday on how the Open Carry Law will affect them and how to handle citizens carrying guns at their sides.
Legislators did not contact any sheriffs or law enforcement officials prior to passing the new law, said DeSoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco. Im concerned that anyone can walk around with a gun on their side.
Growing confusion regarding Mississippis concealed weapons carry laws prompted legislators to clarify and respond to the issue with House Bill 2.
It was previously unclear if an individual carrying a concealed weapon, which requires a permit, was in violation of the law if the weapon was accidently exposed to view.
The Open Carry Law states that a gun can be partially exposed if it is in a proper holster and can be carried openly without a permit.
Its a real juxtaposition, said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long. Im a huge fan of the Second Amendment, but not to the point where your rights are terrorizing the public.
We live in an age of mass-shootings and we receive constant calls from people who think theyve glimpsed a weapon, Long continued. While you have the right to carry a weapon, those around you have the right to call us if they feel threatened.
Unless there is probable cause, individuals carrying a weapon are not required to submit to questioning.
The law gives us the opportunity to stop and question an individual carrying a gun, but they dont have to answer our questions, Rasco said.
Weapons remain prohibited at schools, colleges and universities. Private property owners remain able to prohibit individuals from bringing guns, open or concealed, onto their property.
Businesses can also post signs prohibiting customers from entering the location while carrying a weapon.
I have the authority to disallow firearms in the Courthouse and in the Justice Court, and I am, Rasco said. Signs will be posted on July 1.
July 1st ping!
Im concerned that anyone can walk around with a gun on their side.
It is called the 2nd amendment moron.
There are very specific people who commit gun crimes, and they usually already have a rap sheet.
A very rare acknowledgement and very important to that it has been addressed up front.
Here is a pretty good timeline of the changes in the Mississippi Constitution and the carrying of arms:
http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2013/03/concealed-and-open-carry-in-mississippi.html
Fine for me, but not for thee.
What a moron. Mass shootings? This will prevent them, not cause them.
Missouri has had an open carry law that dates back to the 1800’s, and you don’t see very many open carry around here.Actually it’s very rare.
DeSoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco is an idiot and I’m surprised to find such a mindset in Mississippi of all places. You generally think of the state as being gun-friendly.
Virginia has also been an open carry state (actually Commonwealth) for years, and it’s never been a problem here, or Missouri, or other open-carry states.
Rasco needs to take off his LEO blinders (should say Marxist blinders) and 1. Read the 2nd amendment, and 2. do some research on other states that have had OC to see it hasn’t been a problem.
And, no doubt, government buildings, police stations, and courthouses as well. My question is why?
Which makes for an interesting question. Could opponents of open carry sabotage the law by barraging the police with calls claiming there was an armed person 'acting suspiciously'? I would think they would have to answer every one of them and would such a call constitute 'probable cause' as regards to stopping and questioning?
So far there has been a decided lack of carnage. Every year there are fewer signs. I suspect the wet diaper crowd in MS will get over it in a few years.
It is a hallmark of a free country, get used to it. Alaska has open or concealed carry without license. Works fine, and the police up here are the best, very respectful. They knock on your door to serve warrants and don't shoot your dog on sight either.
Supposedly there’s a business in Clinton that’s making a bunch of ‘no guns allowed’ signs due to massive demand.
Who are those companies and how about let’s boycott them?
Missouri has had an open carry law that dates back to the 1800s, and you dont see very many open carry around here.Actually its very rare.
Same here in Colorado, though open carry may actually have been criminalized by recently passed Democratic [sic] party laws: no one seems to know for sure.
I carry openly or indifferently concealed over half the time. Someone notices my gun at most once a year, more likely once every two or three years. No one's ever complained or harrassed me. The very few questions I've had have been teaching opportunities.
Every state needs constitutional carry: if you're legally entitled to keep and bear arms, you can carry whatever you'd liike however you'd lile.
I’ve heard no criticizm of Atty. General jim hood. This is his fault for attempting the US and State Constitutions and the State legislature. This “DeSoto County” AG is not from DeSoto County but is from a district making up many counties and is a democrat and I would suspect in collusion with hood to undermine our right to keep and bear.
I don’t go to Malco theatres anymore, I go to the 4 screen Tobia in Senatobia, better popcorn as well. I haven’t really run into gun free zone restaurants here in Desoto county. I practise common sense and stay in safe areas and avoid trouble, that’s why I avoid gun free zones.
Desoto cinemas has mainly a Whitehaven crowd. I hope the new Olive Branch does not go that way. We drive out to Germantown sometimes at Forrest Hill to stays away from the thugs
“...Open carry law poses concern for local law enforcement...”
“..DeSoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco. Im concerned that anyone can walk around with a gun on their side. ..
“Law Enforcement” is there enforce the law. The LAW says Open Carry is now legal. Deal with it, Public Servant.
Good on the Citizens of Mississippi for starting to take their state back.
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