In 2016 Mississippi passed the “Mississippi Church Protection Act”[97] which provides that the governing body of a church or place of worship can establish a “security program” authorizing members to carry a firearm for the protection of the congregation. Qualified members of the security team are immune from civil liability if acting in the reasonable exercise of and within the course and scope of the member’s official duties. To qualify for immunity, the team members must 1) be either an a) enhanced licensees or b) a qualified retired law enforcement officer 37 as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 926C(c) and 2) be listed in the church’s minutes as part of the security team by the license number rather than name. A criminal defense is also extended for actions taken by a qualified team member engaged in the performance of the person’s duties as a member of the program.
