Is a West Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in Mississippi?

Why

• Mississippi recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• Mississippi allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

Miss. Code 45-9-101(19): 'Any person holding a valid unrevoked and unexpired license to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued in another state shall have such license recognized by this state' — no residency condition, so non-resident permits from any state are also recognized.

Carry rules in Mississippi

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Mississippi, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• No proactive duty: a licensee must display the license and identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a $25 noncriminal violation (Miss. Code 45-9-101(1)(b)).
• Mississippi sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Loaded vehicle carry is generally lawful without a permit for adults who may lawfully possess a handgun, under the permitless-carry provisions (Miss. Code 45-9-101(24), 97-37-1).

Off-limits places in Mississippi

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations (45-9-101(13))
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails
• Courthouses and courtrooms (judges may authorize in their courtroom)
• Polling places and meetings of governmental bodies or the Legislature
• School, college or professional athletic events not related to firearms; elementary, secondary and college facilities
• Bar areas of establishments serving alcohol, airport passenger terminals, and premises posted with a 'carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited' notice

Frequently asked questions

Is a West Virginia non-resident permit valid in Mississippi?

Yes, twice over. Mississippi honors your West Virginia non-resident permit, and it also allows permitless carry for adults 18+, so eligible adults can carry there even without one.

Do I have to tell police in Mississippi that I am carrying?

No proactive duty: a licensee must display the license and identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a $25 noncriminal violation (Miss. Code 45-9-101(1)(b)).

Does Mississippi limit magazine capacity?

Mississippi sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Mississippi without any permit?

Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Where does Mississippi publish its official reciprocity list?

Mississippi publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.