Drizzt
Member
29 senators exempt from firearms rule
By Shelia Hardwell Byrd
The Associated Press
The Senate on Thursday gave 29 of its 52 members permission to bring firearms on state Capitol grounds.
Sen. Ralph Doxey, D-Holly Springs, sought the exemption from Joint Rule 37, which prohibits firearms at the Capitol and on the building's grounds. Doxey asked for a grounds exemption. The 28 other Senate members joined him in the motion.
The House and Senate adopted rules Wednesday under which both chambers will operate.
A violation of Joint Rule 37 would result in a lawmaker's automatic dismissal from office. Doxey said the rule has a provision that a senator can be exempt if a majority of senators approves it. The same applies in the House.
Doxey said the rule would have been a burden on him because he often hunts in other areas of the state and then travels back to the Capitol with his gun.
"It's perfectly legal for me to leave home with it, to come down the highway with it, but the instant I came on to the Capitol, I would be committing an act that is illegal," Doxey said.
Doxey said he also carries a firearm for protection. He is among lawmakers who live outside Jackson and travel to their hometowns for the weekends.
"I drive a lot at night," he said.
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, D-Brookhaven, said she carries a Smith & Wesson snub-nose .38 when she's in Jackson.
Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-Magnolia, said the Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms. "If I mess around and forget my gun in my car, I'd be subject to be thrown out of here, I won't have to worry about that now."
http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0402/20/m03.html
By Shelia Hardwell Byrd
The Associated Press
The Senate on Thursday gave 29 of its 52 members permission to bring firearms on state Capitol grounds.
Sen. Ralph Doxey, D-Holly Springs, sought the exemption from Joint Rule 37, which prohibits firearms at the Capitol and on the building's grounds. Doxey asked for a grounds exemption. The 28 other Senate members joined him in the motion.
The House and Senate adopted rules Wednesday under which both chambers will operate.
A violation of Joint Rule 37 would result in a lawmaker's automatic dismissal from office. Doxey said the rule has a provision that a senator can be exempt if a majority of senators approves it. The same applies in the House.
Doxey said the rule would have been a burden on him because he often hunts in other areas of the state and then travels back to the Capitol with his gun.
"It's perfectly legal for me to leave home with it, to come down the highway with it, but the instant I came on to the Capitol, I would be committing an act that is illegal," Doxey said.
Doxey said he also carries a firearm for protection. He is among lawmakers who live outside Jackson and travel to their hometowns for the weekends.
"I drive a lot at night," he said.
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, D-Brookhaven, said she carries a Smith & Wesson snub-nose .38 when she's in Jackson.
Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-Magnolia, said the Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms. "If I mess around and forget my gun in my car, I'd be subject to be thrown out of here, I won't have to worry about that now."
http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0402/20/m03.html
guess i need to reread that carefully. 