MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representatives Wallace, Coleman (29th), Miller, Thornton

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-37-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PENALTY FOR CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON BY A CONVICTED FELON TO ELIMINATE REQUIREMENT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF REHABILITATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 97-37-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-37-5. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or of the United States to possess any firearm or any bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, switchblade knife, metallic knuckles, blackjack, or any muffler or silencer for any firearm unless such person has received a pardon for such felony or has received a relief from disability pursuant to Section 925(c) of Title 18 of the U.S. Code * * *.

(2) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for not more than ten (10) years, or both.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.