Some Greenwood businesses aren’t waiting for a judge’s expected ruling Friday on the legality of Mississippi’s new open-carry law; they have already posted “no firearms” signs on their premises.
Dawkins Office Supplies and Equipment, located at 301 W. Market St., and Scott Petroleum, located at the intersection of West Claiborne Avenue and U.S. 82, have posted signs saying the carrying of firearms on their premises is prohibited.
Earlier this year, legislators overwhelmingly passed and Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 2, which says that adults don’t need a permit to carry a gun that’s not concealed.
The new law was to go into effect July 1. Hinds County Circuit Judge Winston Kidd temporarily blocked it on June 28.
Kidd heard arguments in the case Monday and said he will decide by Friday whether to remove the injunction.
If Kidd extends his hold or further blocks the law by finding that it’s unconstitutionally vague, state officials could appeal his decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
“I think it’s going to the Supreme Court,” Bryant said Wednesday. “I think the Supreme Court is going to uphold the Legislature and House Bill 2.”
The governor maintains that the law merely restates the right to bear arms that’s in the Mississippi Constitution.
Opponents of the open-carry law say it has caused confusion about where people may carry guns that aren’t concealed. They also contend the law could put law enforcement officers in danger if people with no training are carrying guns.
Employees at Dawkins declined to comment on the posting of the sign. Attempts to contact officials with Itta-Bena based Scott Petroleum were unsuccessful.
The carrying of firearms is already prohibited in the Leflore County Courthouse and the Leflore County Juvenile Detention Center. It is also prohibited in all Greenwood municipal buildings, including City Hall.
Leflore County Chancery Clerk Sam Abraham said the county is taking a wait-and-see approach to the law.
“The board will make a decision once the judge rules,” he said. “I don’t think we want them at the Leflore County Civic Center or anywhere where you have a large congregation of people.”
He said Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks would be consulted on the extent of a ban on carrying firearms in county-owned buildings.
Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams said the city is ready to begin posting signs at each of its buildings if the law goes forward.
McAdams said she has talked about the new law and its implications with Greenwood Police Chief Henry Purnell. She expressed hope that the Legislature would clarify the issue in the near future.
“As this law goes forward, we’ll just have to wait it out,” McAdams said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
