Across the United States, gun laws differ. There has been a lot of controversy regarding the use of guns, the amount of guns sold, and the way they are used. The U.S. has an estimated 300 million guns in total according to current statistics. However, this total rises by at least 10 million every year. It is no secret why a lot of people have access to guns; they are everywhere.
  According to an article from The Clarion Ledger, written in June 2016 by Geoff Pender, Phil Bryant signed a law making Mississippi one of 11 states that allow “custom carry” which allows people to carry a concealed firearm without a permit issued by the state. 
  However, here on campus Mississippi State University’s, the rules for guns, or weapons of any kind, are strictly enforced. 
Regina Hyatt, vice president for student affairs, said weapons are prohibited on campus by university policy. 
 “University policy prohibits the possession of any weapon on campus, including firearms, except for duly authorized law enforcement officials,” Hyatt said. “Certain others who possess a state firearms permit with the IC sticker can carry a firearm on campus in certain limited locations as outlined in our policy.”
       According to Hyatt the university’s policy was revised in June 2016. This was done to ensure its compliance with state and federal laws, along with Institution of Higher Learning policies. Students needs to be extremely careful because if they are caught possessing a firearm on campus without permission, the consequences will be severe. 
  “Anyone found violating the policy will be required to remove the weapon from campus immediately and may face criminal charges,” Hyatt said. “Students and employees may be suspended immediately, pending disciplinary proceedings.”
  Hyatt said if someone comes onto campus with a gun and is labeled “armed and dangerous” the campus police force will be there to handle it. 
  “University Police have a defined protocol to respond to an armed and dangerous person,” Hyatt said. 
 Sid Salter, the chief communications officer and director of the office of public affairs, said MSU gun policies follow all guidelines. 
“Mississippi State University is fully compliant with all federal and state laws and with State College Board policies,” Salter said. 
Salter advises that if students have any detailed questions about firearm rules, they should refer to the MSU policy on guns and weapons. 
The policy states that the possession of not only firearms, but other explosive devices such as fireworks, are prohibited on campus, along with anything that shoots a projectile and uses gunpowder. As stated earlier by Hyatt, only authorized individuals can carry a weapon.
Vance Rice, the chief of police of the MSU police force, stated the actions taken when there is a threat to campus security. 
“When there is someone who is threatening students with a firearm, and is labeled as an active shooter, we respond with force and assess the situation,” Rice said. “This includes all agencies, not only us, but the police in the area, the sheriff, investigators, the whole group.”
Rice stated when it comes to a student illegally possessing a firearm, or any type of weapon on campus without authorization, the weapon will be confiscated and will go through the university judicial system. 
“If a student is illegally holding a weapon on campus, it is considered a felony,” Rice said. 
Captain Kenny Rogers of the MSU Police Force said there are nine schools applying to IHL including the University of Mississippi, Southern Mississippi University and some junior college campuses.
  According to Rogers, the only individuals authorized to have an advanced carry are Faculty Housing. This is the only time that a student is allowed to carry a weapon—if they are part of the faculty housing. However, this does not include residence halls. 
“If a student is in Faculty Housing and they are a faculty member, they are allowed to have a weapon,” Rogers said. “Non-faculty staff and students are also allowed to have an advanced carry.”
Rice and Rogers advise students to refer to the MSU Policy 91.120 if they have any questions regarding the laws of weapons.