Mississippi: Armed Security Officers
Legislation and Details for Mississippi
Mississippi Code Title 97. Crimes
Chapter 37. Weapons and Explosives
Section 7. Deadly weapons; persons permitted to carry weapons; bond; permit to carry weapon; grounds for denying application for permit; required weapons training course; reciprocal agreements.
According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Security Officers are not individually licensed but regulated indirectly by weaponry. Armed security guards are required to obtain a Security Guard Permit.
See: Security Guard Permits – Website
The fee for a Security Guard Permit is $132.00. The permit is valid for four (4) years.
The fee includes $32 for fingerprint/background check fee
Mississippi gives recognition to out of state, law enforcement firearms licensees and permit holders
if there is a reciprocal agreement between the states. The statute states in part:
(3) It shall not be a violation of this or any other statute for pistols, firearms or other suitable and appropriate weapons,
to be carried by any out-of-state, full-time commissioned law enforcement officer who holds a valid commission
card from the appropriate out-of-state law enforcement agency and a photo identification.
The provisions of this subsection shall only apply if the state where the out-of-state officer is employed has entered
into a reciprocity agreement with the state that allows full-time commissioned law enforcement officers in Mississippi
to lawfully carry or possess a weapon in such other states. The Commissioner of Public Safety is authorized to enter into
reciprocal agreements with other states to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
See: § 97-37-7
Applicant must be 21 years of age.
See: Application for Security Guard Permit
Applicants not born in the United States must submit a “Rider to all Firearm Permit Applications” (page 11 of the Application pack) to establish their eligibility to possess firearms in accordance to federal law.
See: Security Guard Permit Application
No baseline requirement
Retired law enforcement do not have to pay the renewal application fee;
Mississippi law also lays out a series of exemptions- proved by Affidavit which waives permit requirements.
A permit is required unless expressly waived for select military and law enforcement officials. This must be applied for in person at the nearest Highway Patrol Substation
Mississippi law expressly mentions “Security Guard Permit” for weapons and allows a 4 year period of licensure
See: Firearm Permit FAQ
No baseline requirement
No baseline requirement
Fingerprints must be submitted with the firearms permit application. See: Mississippi Security Guard Permit Application Instructions v2 r9.15.20.
Although the legislation does not explicitly mention this requirement, the applicant must indicate on the application form whether he/she chronically or habitually abused controlled substances. See: SGP-APP-01 Security Guard Application v2 with Notice Combined.pdf
ARMED: Although the legislation does not explicitly mention this requirement, the applicant must indicate on the application form whether he /she is has ever been declared mentally incompetent in a court of law and if so, has he/she received a court order restoring the applicant to capacity and waited at least five (5) years from the date of that court order to make this application? The application also asks if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility within the last five years.
See:SGP-APP-01 Security Guard Application v2 with Notice Combined.pdf
According to MS § 97-37-7(1)(b):
No permit shall be issued to any person who has ever been convicted of a felony under the laws of this or any other state or of the United States. To determine an applicant’s eligibility or a permit, the person shall be fingerprinted. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, the fingerprints shall be forwarded by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check.
None required
Enhanced Carry –Training Required
This option allows the person the privilege of carrying a concealed weapon in some of the prohibited areas listed in subsection 13 of MS Code §45-9-101, except for any place of nuisance (defined in MS Code §95-3-1), or any police, sheriff or highway patrol station or any detention facility, prison or jail. This does not, however, allow a person to violate a prohibition against carrying firearms posted by written notice.
For civilians applying for Enhanced Carry, they should have completed an 8-hour course of instruction by an instructor certified by the Department of Public Safety. A signed certificate acknowledging the satisfactory completion of this training needs to be attached to the application. Current and former members of the U.S. Armed forces who have completed military combat training with pistols or other handguns or had formal law enforcement training may substitute this training in lieu of the 8 hour training requirement. Retired law enforcement and corrections officers who have completed formal law enforcement training or completed military combat training with pistols or other handguns.
See: Individual Firearm Permit Initial Application Instructions
N/A
According to Miss. Code § 93-11-157:
The state of Mississippi may take away any occupational or professional license or permit for failure to pay child support.