Mississippi Moms, Everytown Condemn Governor Bryant for Signing S.B. 2394, Allowing People to Carry Hidden, Loaded Handguns in Public Without a Permit

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today condemned Governor Phil Bryant for signing S.B. 2394, legislation that will allow people to carry loaded handguns in bags, briefcases, or other fully enclosed cases without a permit. The new law will even allow certain people who have recently been convicted of violent crimes to legally carry concealed weapons on public streets throughout the state. The law, which was pushed through the legislature by Representative Andy Gipson, comes just weeks after Gipson helped defeat S.B. 2618, another bill that would have allowed people without a permit to carry concealed in public places.

“Governor Phil Bryant and the Mississippi legislature failed to recognize the dangers of passing S.B. 2394, and in doing so, have ultimately compromised the public safety of Mississippi families,” said Victoria Coy, the Gulf States Organizing Manager for Moms Demand Action. “We are terribly disappointed that Representative Gipson quietly amended and pushed through this dangerous bill allowing Mississippians to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit. He was probably hoping that we wouldn’t notice – but unfortunately for him, we did and we will remember when it comes time to head to the voting booth.”