Mississippi Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

What type of firearm transfer requires a background check in Mississippi?

1. All firearm transfers

2. Transfers between immediate family members

3. Sales through licensed firearms dealers

4. Private sales at gun shows

The correct answer is: Sales through licensed firearms dealers

In Mississippi, background checks are mandated specifically for firearm sales conducted through licensed firearms dealers. This regulation is in place to ensure that individuals who purchase firearms from these dealers undergo a thorough check against the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to determine their eligibility to own a firearm. When a buyer approaches a licensed dealer to purchase a firearm, the dealer is required to conduct this background check before completing the sale, which helps to prevent firearms from being sold to individuals prohibited by law from possessing them, such as felons or individuals with restraining orders. Transfers between immediate family members and private sales at gun shows do not necessitate a background check under Mississippi law, as these transactions are generally considered private and are not subject to the same restrictions as dealer sales. Thus, understanding that the regulation focuses specifically on transactions through licensed dealers is crucial for anyone navigating firearm purchases in Mississippi.