The rules and regulations of concealed weapons is a topic on the minds of gun owners and law officers and Mississippi State University students wonder about the laws concerning the carrying of a concealed weapon on and near a univeristy. Oktibbeha County Chief Deputy George Carrithers said MSU students might want to be aware of Code 97-37-17, which deals with deadly weapons on educational grounds.
Under this code, it is a felony to possess or carry, openly or concealed, any gun (except air-powered guns) or explosives on educational property. It is also a felony to aid or encourage someone under 18 years of age to do so.
The code states that possession, openly or concealed, of any air-powered gun, bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade, blackjack, metallic knuckles, razors not used for personal shaving, or any sharp-pointed or edged instrument, except for nail files, food utensils and other objects used for instruction and maintenance of educational property.
Again, it is also a misdemeanor to aid or encourage someone under 18 to do so.
The Mississippi State University policy prohibits thepossession of a firearm by any student on campus. The policy also prohibits the possession of firearms, explosives or other devices, substances or weapons states that possession of any tope of explosive, other weapon, firecracker or other object used in a threatening manner against a person or property on university-controlled property is a crime, but exceptions may be permitted for fireworks displays planned in advance for celebrations.
The penalty for student found with firearms on campus is suspension immediately pending a disciplinary hearing. Students who use firearms threateningly against other students on campus will be arrested and charged in civil courts in addition to being suspended from the university. Students possessing any type of explosive, other weapon, firecracker or other object threatening persons on university-controlled property will be suspended, also. Fireworks displays must be approved by the dean of students and a permit must be issued by the University Police Department.
Carrithers also explained regulations concerning weapons in the county.
“You can keep any weapon in your home except fully automatic weapons,” Carrithers said. “You would need a permit to carry those. The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that your car is an extension of your home, so you can carry a concealed weapon in your car without a permit.”
Mississippi Code, Section 97-37-1, states that it is a crime for anyone (who does not have a concealed weapons license) to carry, “concealed in whole or in part, any bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, switchblade knife, metallic knuckles, blackjack, slingshot, pistol, revolver, any rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length or a shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length, machine gun or any fully automatic firearm or deadly weapon, or any muffler or silencer for any firearm whether or not it is accompanied by a firearm.” It is also a crime to use or attempt to use any imitation firearm against another person.
The code goes on to list the various punishments for carrying a concealed weapon. However, the code lists exceptions to this rule. One is:
“It shall not be a violation of this section for any person over the age of eighteen(18) years to carry a firearm or deadly weapon concealed in whole or in part within the confines of his own home or his place of business, or any real property associated with his home or business or within any motor vehicle.”
Thus, one can carry a concealed weapon in one’s home or car without a special permit. It is only a crime to carry a concealed weapon in public without a special permit.
The second exception is if the possessor of the weapon is then engaged in a legitimate weapon-related sports activity or is going to or returning from such activity. For purposes of this subsection, “legitimate weapon-related sports activity” means hunting, fishing, target shooting or any other legal sports activity which normally involves the use of a firearm or other weapon.”
Some feel the laws are too relaxed; others say they feel even these laws are too restrictive.
Carrithers said, “There’s pro’s and cons’ to everything you try to do. If you try to restrict handguns, you’re taking them out of law-abiding citizens’ hands as well as the hands of criminals.”
Rather than pass more restrictive gun laws, Carrithers said he would like to see more strict laws for criminals.
“What I think we should have is tougher laws for criminals who posses firearms,” Cauithers said.