Mississippi Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Are background checks required for private gun sales in Mississippi?

1. Yes, in all cases

2. Yes, but only for handguns

3. No

4. Yes, but only at gun shows

The correct answer is: No

In Mississippi, background checks are not mandated for private gun sales, meaning that individuals can sell firearms to one another without having to conduct a background check on the buyer. This applies to transactions that occur outside of licensed dealers, such as those between friends or family members. As a result, private sales, which include personal transactions that do not involve a business entity, do not require any form of background check under state law. This lack of requirement distinguishes Mississippi from some other states that do impose restrictions or make background checks mandatory even in private transactions. Therefore, individuals engaging in private gun sales in Mississippi can do so freely, without needing to verify the buyer's background.