Do I Need A Background Check To Buy A Rifle In Mississippi

Last Updated: July 22, 2017

Disclaimer: While the information provided here is legal in nature, information technology is not to exist construed as legal advice, and is for educational and entertainment purposes simply.

With all the gun laws at the federal and country levels, it can become confusing trying to keep runway of the ones that bear on y'all and your gun rights. Fortunately, as a resident of Mississippi, at that place are only a few laws that you'll need to worry nearly to make certain yous stay out of trouble. In this guide w east'll go over everything you demand to know on how to buy a gun and be a responsible gun possessor!

Mississippi State Flag 2021 — Mississippi State Flag

Buying a Handgun

Every bit a gun-friendly state, Mississippi doesn't take too many laws in the way of gun ownership. Considering of that, the state does not have any specific laws on buying a gun. But that doesn't mean yous can merely take hold of a gun off the shelf and walk out the store!

There is no let required to buy a gun, merely there are yet a few requirements that must be met, at the federal level, before you tin legally buy a handgun.

To buy a handgun, you must:

Be 21 or older;
Provide state ID; and
Have a groundwork cheque done by a licensed firearms dealer.

Of grade, these requirements only apply if you are purchasing from a gun store. You can salve a little bit of time if yous determine to buy a handgun through a private auction. Individual sales have the same requirements except they practice not require background checks to be performed. Saves you the hassle of filling out the background check form (and paying the fee!).

However, in that location are situations where you are prohibited from owning a firearm, even if yous see all the other requirements above.

You lot cannot own a firearm if you:

Have been bedevilled of a crime punishable past imprisonment for over a year;
Are a fugitive from justice;
Illegally abuse controlled substances;
Accept been adjudicated every bit mentally lacking of incompetent, or take been committed to a mental institution;
Are an illegal alien;
Are a sometime US citizen who has renounced his citizenship;
Were dishonorably discharged from the The states Military machine;
Are subject to a restraining gild;
Were convicted of a misdemeanor law-breaking of domestic violence.

Mississippi gun store — I of each, please!

And for those of y'all interested in antiquarian firearms, antiquarian and replica firearms are treated as ordinary firearms nether Mississippi law, so all the same requirements that utilize to normal handguns utilize to that flintlock, too.

What well-nigh long guns?

While yous're checking out the latest 1911 at the gun store, you lot might desire to take a wait at some of the long guns, too. Conveniently , the laws on buying long guns are almost the same as those for handguns, and so there's not too much more to recollect.

To buy a long gun, you must:

Be 18 or older;
Provide ID (from any state!); and
Have a background check done by a licensed firearms dealer.

But like with handgun purchases, ownership through a private sale avoids the background cheque step, but instead of waiting until you're 21, you can buy one at eighteen!

Go on in mind, yet, if you fall into any of the prohibited categories listed above for handguns, you lot will too not be able to buy a long gun either.

Have Gun, Will Comport

Once you lot've finally settled on which 1911 to buy, the adjacent big conclusion will be how yous will carry the thing. Mississippi allows for open bear of firearms, meaning both handguns and long guns can exist carried openly while you are walking effectually town. This only applies, nonetheless, if you are eighteen or older and legally allowed to ain the firearm.

However, it's nevertheless a good idea to keep in listen whether you lot will be the only one openly carrying, since yous probably don't want to draw that kind of attending to yourself.

Open Carry at a Coffee Shop — Open Carry In a Coffee Shop

Carrying On the Road

And since open carry is legal, you can have your gun in your machine while driving around town, or only heading to the range. Of course, it'south probably a good idea in full general to have your firearms secured while travelling, in case yous need to leave the firearms while y'all footstep into a store, or just don't want your guns flying off the seat while driving.

Carrying Curtained

If you decide to acquit curtained, you lot volition need to be careful. No CCW permit is required to comport concealed in the state, but you must make sure the handgun is in a belt or shoulder holster, or in a bag or bag of some sort. Sticking the gun in your back pocket is not concealed carry.

Fifty-fifty though you don't need a allow to carry curtained, Mississippi does issue CCW permits. This is so yous will take something to show law enforcement when you travel out of state, and want to be able to carry your handgun similar you do at habitation. For those of you lot interested in the process of getting a CCW permit, check out our Mississippi CCW section for all the info.

Using Your Gun

With all this talk of how to buy a gun and where y'all tin bring 1, it's of import to know when and where you are really allowed to shoot the dang matter.

Defending Your Castle

Fortunately, Mississippi has adopted what is usually known as the "Castle Doctrine", which basically says you tin use your firearms to defend your home.

Specifically, the law says that if you lot take reasonable fear of imminent death, great bodily impairment, or a felony about to be committed on yourself or some other person while you are at home, in your vehicle, or at your identify of concern, due to someone who has or is attempting to illegally force their style into your domicile, automobile, or function, yous are allowed to use deadly force confronting that person.

Woman defending home with shotgun — The Queen of This Castle

Continuing Your Ground

While the Castle Doctrine lets you defend your belongings, Mississippi too follows the "Stand Your Ground" rule, which allows for self-defense even outside the home.

Yous take no duty to retreat before using deadly force, as long as you are somewhere you are legally allowed to exist, and accept a reasonable fear of imminent death, great bodily injury, or a felony virtually to exist committed against y'all or another person.

Proceed in mind, however, that but because you exercise non have a duty to retreat does not hateful you lot must employ mortiferous force in every situation, even if you are justified in doing and so. Sometimes, it may be safer for you and others involved to safely retreat than to engage the threat.

That's Information technology!

With that, you've at present got all the information you need to be a responsible gun owner in the corking state of Mississippi! Don't forget to bank check out our CCW section to larn about the process to get a allow. Of class, if you're looking to expand your skills before going the CCW road, that'southward okay too!

Regardless, y'all'll want a sturdy prophylactic to store all your firearms and keep them secure. A bones gun cabinet or handgun condom may be a proficient starting point for securing your firearms. Once your guns start multiplying, take a wait at the bigger safes nosotros recommend to requite your guns a overnice place to sleep at night.

Now go out there and start your collection! Those guns aren't going to buy themselves!