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Baker (below), who suggested that having polce officers in schools is an effective way to prevent gun violence, said legislation is on the way that is designed to make certain no gun rights will be infringed.
"Now I've got to argue why my semi-automatic rifle or shotgun is different from your AK-47 rifle and I've got to have this esoteric conversation about guns-the bottom line is, it's none of
your damn business," he said.Baker said he supports legislation suggested by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves that would provide money to schools to bolster a police presence. He said having a policeman in school, interwoven into the fabric of student life, is a way to prevent trouble of all sorts. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who patrols the county where the Pearl High School shooting took place, echoed the sentiment.
He said there are eight deputies in schools there now.
Baker also said he is introducing a bill to keep from publication the identifying information of Mississippians who have a concealed-carry permit. He added that he is not a permit holder now, but will soon have one.
Gov. Phil Bryant said that as a former law enforcement officer and educator he supports the right to keep and bear arms and will do everything legal to make sure any laws enacted to infringe on that right will be ineffective in Mississippi.
"The Second Amendment to the Constitution says the people have the right to keep and bear arms," he said. "That this shall not be infringed upon. It doesn't say this shall not be done away with or shouldn't be amended. It says it shouldn't even be infringed upon. Our founding fathers were so dedicated to it, they said it shouldn't even be infringed upon. A free man should not have to ask the government to keep and bear his arms."
Bryant said he understands the pain that the parents of the Sandy Hook shooting victims must be going through and thoughts and prayers are with them. But, he said he believes it is no time to seize the moment to infringe upon the rights of honest citizens to keep and bear arms.
We spoke with people who attended the rally. Most agreed with the message.
"It is our Second Amendment and without that you can write off all the other amendments," said one man. "They're gonna have to fight to get our guns in Mississippi."
Anti-abortion activists were also on the capitol steps, preparing for their Tuesday rally to make Mississippi the first abortion-free state. With Mississippi's only abortion clinic in violation of legislation passed last year that makes it a requirement for physicians performing abortions to have local admitting privileges, the clinic may soon shut its doors.
Gov. Bryant related the two issues, saying Mississippians should be praying for the most vulnerable, the unborn. That's something he said the president and his administration do not understand.
