Mississippi Firearms Local Preemption Statute

Mississippi law reserves to the state nearly all authority over firearms regulation. Under Miss. Code 45-9-51, no county or municipality may adopt any ordinance restricting the possession, carrying, transportation, sale, transfer, ownership, storage, taxation, manufacture, or use of firearms, ammunition, or their components. Local governments retain limited authority to regulate discharge within municipal limits and to restrict carry in courthouses. A 2014 amendment added penalties for noncompliance, allowing the Attorney General to enforce preemption against violating localities. Courts have interpreted the statute to invalidate broad local gun ordinances, including park bans and storage rules that conflict with state law.

Local ordinances violating Section 45-9-51 are void and unenforceable; the Attorney General may seek declaratory and injunctive relief.