Buying a Gun in Mississippi
The age to buy a gun in Mississippi, background checks for dealer and private sales, any waiting period, and rules on ghost guns.
Short answer: It is unlawful to 'sell, give or lend to any minor under eighteen (18) years of age' (or, knowingly, to an intoxicated person) any deadly weapon, other weapon the carrying of which concealed is prohibited, or pistol cartridge; Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-37-13, 97-37-14
| Age to buy a gun | It is unlawful to 'sell, give or lend to any minor under eighteen (18) years of age' (or, knowingly, to an intoxicated person) any deadly weapon, other weapon the carrying of which concealed is prohibited, or pistol cartridge; penalty up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in county jail. Possession of a handgun by a person under 18 is an act of delinquency except for listed activities (safety courses, target shooting, competitions, licensed hunting, adult-permitted possession on the adult's property, lawful self-defense at home). The state rule applies to private transfers as well as dealers. Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code, marked current as of January 1, 2025); check against the official code. |
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| Background checks and private sales | Mississippi has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. It is a felony to knowingly solicit a dealer or private seller to make an illegal sale, or to give a seller materially false information about the legality of a sale (Honesty in Purchasing Firearms Act), and a misdemeanor to knowingly sell, give or lend a deadly weapon (or other weapon whose concealed carry is prohibited) or pistol cartridges to a minor under 18 or an intoxicated person. Reviewed Miss. Code Ann. Title 97, Chapter 37 (Weapons and Explosives: §§97-37-1 to 97-37-39 and 97-37-101 to 97-37-105) and Title 45, Chapter 9 (Weapons: §§45-9-31 to 45-9-209), read section by section on the codes.findlaw.com mirror (official code is published only through LexisNexis) (no private-sale background-check, permit or license provision) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
| Waiting period | Mississippi has no state law that sets a waiting period between buying a firearm and taking delivery. Reviewed Miss. Code Ann. Title 97, Chapter 37 (Weapons and Explosives: §§97-37-1 to 97-37-39 and 97-37-101 to 97-37-105) and Title 45, Chapter 9 (Weapons: §§45-9-31 to 45-9-209), read section by section on the codes.findlaw.com mirror (official code is published only through LexisNexis) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
| Ghost guns and homemade firearms | Mississippi has no state law that requires serial numbers on, or bans, homemade or unserialized firearms or firearm kits. Reviewed Miss. Code Ann. Title 97, Chapter 37 (Weapons and Explosives: §§97-37-1 to 97-37-39 and 97-37-101 to 97-37-105) and Title 45, Chapter 9 (Weapons: §§45-9-31 to 45-9-209), read section by section on the codes.findlaw.com mirror (official code is published only through LexisNexis) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
More Mississippi gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Mississippi
- Open Carry in Mississippi
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Mississippi
- All Mississippi gun laws rules
FAQ
How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Mississippi?
It is unlawful to 'sell, give or lend to any minor under eighteen (18) years of age' (or, knowingly, to an intoxicated person) any deadly weapon, other weapon the carrying of which concealed is prohibited, or pistol cartridge; penalty up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in county jail. Possession of a handgun by a person under 18 is an act of delinquency except for listed activities (safety courses, target shooting, competitions, licensed hunting, adult-permitted possession on the adult's property, lawful self-defense at home). The state rule applies to private transfers as well as dealers.
Do private gun sales need a background check in Mississippi?
Mississippi has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. It is a felony to knowingly solicit a dealer or private seller to make an illegal sale, or to give a seller materially false information about the legality of a sale (Honesty in Purchasing Firearms Act), and a misdemeanor to knowingly sell, give or lend a deadly weapon (or other weapon whose concealed carry is prohibited) or pistol cartridges to a minor under 18 or an intoxicated person.
Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Mississippi?
Mississippi has no state law that sets a waiting period between buying a firearm and taking delivery.
Are ghost guns legal in Mississippi?
Mississippi has no state law that requires serial numbers on, or bans, homemade or unserialized firearms or firearm kits.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.