Bill: Let People Sue Over Gun-Carry Bans on Public Property

By JEFF AMY
Associated Press
February 7th. 2018


JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi residents with a certain type of gun license could sue governments under a bill passed Wednesday by the House.

House Bill 1083 , which goes to the Senate for more debate, seeks to deal with judges, public universities, public schools and others who are defying a 2011 law that lets people carry guns almost anywhere on public property after taking a training course and getting an enhanced concealed carry license.

"These are the safest people in a state when it comes to concealed carry," said House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, arguing that the additional training makes the enhanced permit holders safer than typical concealed carry-permit holders. Governments can ban most people who carry guns from a wide range of places.

Gun rights supporters have complained for years that some entities are ignoring the law. The license, for example, allows people to carry guns in hallways of courthouses. Judges and county supervisors, though, have largely retained absolute bans on guns in courthouses.

"It's a citizens' bill," Gipson said. "We're addressing the concerns of our citizens."