STATEMENT OF REP. ANDY GIPSON ON KILLING SENATE BILL 2618
Integrity is fundamental to the passage of good legislation. Lawmakers should know that legislation presented to them is fundamentally sound both with respect to the language of the bill, and with respect to the advocacy made by those in favor of it. Neither of these is the case with respect to Senate Bill 2618.
On behalf of myself and the thousands of Mississippians who were lied to about this so-called “constitutional carry” bill, I will not take up the bill today and will allow it to die on the calendar. A group based out-of-state has misled Mississippians on their proposed bill, Senate Bill 2618. Even as introduced, the bill would not implement constitutional carry in Mississippi. It is clear this group’s goal is political and fundraising in nature, and not geared toward expanding gun rights in our State. Mississippians deserve better than that.
This week I learned that this same organization has illegally and unethically lobbied myself and other legislators for at least two months, and possibly even longer since their inception in October, 2014. Without the required lobbyist registration, I and other legislators have no way of knowing this group’s funding source, their affiliations nor their true intent in coming to our State. I am concerned that intent may in fact be to weaken the gun rights currently enjoyed by Mississippians.
In Mississippi, we already have constitutional open carry, unlicensed vehicle carry and the ability to carry concealed here and in 35 states nationwide which recognize our CC license.
As evidenced by our track record the last four years, the House of Representatives remains committed to passing good legislation that further supports and restores the Second Amendment rights of Mississippians. But we will do so independently of questionable organizations, in a manner that retains integrity and in a way that will not risk sacrificing the many gains we have made the last four years.
Rep. Andy Gipson Press Release
3/11/15
Magnolia Tribune
