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. “I’m concerned that anyone can walk around with a gun on their side.”
Growing confusion regarding Mississippi’s 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.
“It’s a real juxtaposition,” said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long. “I’m 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 they’ve 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 don’t 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.”
Ping.
If law enforcement can’t deal with peaceably armed citizens, they might want to try another line of work.
I’d suggest fetish model or bouncer at a gay bar.
If the O/B cinema is operated by Malco it’ll be a gun free zone and we won’t attend.
It is a Malco. Wow, Tobie has really changed from my Northwest days. Now with 3D and a five dollars matinee!! I might have to go back
What's this bureaucrat thinking? Those that terrorize the public don'tobey the law.
Stuff like that might fall under boy who cried wolf as far as how deeply they look into it. Yeah, they’ll check it out, but they might actually warn the person calling to stop.
Is that a real state sign?
In Oregon, the most safe place in the state is an NRA function. They open carry. If anyone wanted to do harm at one of those functions, they would be dead before they got their first shot off.
That would be the case in an open carry state...all over the state!
I hope that the authorities go the extra mile in informing people that open carry is permitted, especially those people who will undoubtedly pester the police with nuisance “man with gun” complaints.
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