Friday, September 23, 2022

New Security Measures for Mississippi State Fair

 Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, along with state and local law enforcement officials, addressed security staff and safety measures for the upcoming 2022 Mississippi State Fair taking place October 6-16. Commissioner Gipson was joined by Jimmy Herzog, Chief of Security for the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Colonel Randy Ginn, Director of Mississippi Highway Patrol; Chief Bo Luckey, Mississippi State Capitol Police; Chief Ricky Davis, State Fire Marshal’s Office; Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones; Chief James Davis, Jackson Police Department; along with other law enforcement agency representatives. 

 

“I want to thank our local law enforcement agencies, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Police Department, for their longtime partnership keeping the Fairgrounds safe, and this year,  I appreciate our State Troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol for providing assistance during the State Fair.  State Troopers will be on site, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Mounted Unit, for the first time, will deploy alongside the Hinds County Mounted Patrol. Also, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will have highly trained K-9 units on site. Multiple agencies including the State Capitol Police, Department of Homeland Security Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, and Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau will also be assisting with security and logistics,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson.

 

Commissioner Gipson outlined the following safety measures that will be in effect at the 2022 Mississippi State Fair:


  • Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of eighteen (18) seeking admission to the Fairgrounds must be accompanied by a legal adult (21 or older). Any guest may be asked to show official proof of age to be admitted after 9:00 p.m. When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one (1) of the seven (7) entry security points utilizing a metal detector, and/or be subject to magnetic wanding.
  • All bags are subject to search. The maximum bag size that will be accepted into the Fair is 12”x12”x6”.
  • No outside food or beverage allowed.
  • No marketing, soliciting, political, or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations.
  • No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives, or laser pointers allowed. 
  • Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds.
  • Exceptions and challenges to these policies will be satisfied at the discretion of Fair Management.


“Safety is a priority at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Our number one goal is to keep people safe as they enjoy a unique, family-friendly Mississippi State Fair experience,” said Commissioner Gipson.

The 2022 Mississippi State Fair will open at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6, and run through Sunday, October 16. Gate admission will be $5.00 per person and parking will be $5.00 per car. Children aged 6 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase advance admission tickets at the Coliseum Box Office until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6. Enjoy free admission every weekday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 10, Columbus Day.

View https://youtu.be/opKblBhE8aE to watch the full press conference online. For more information about the Mississippi State Fair, visit www.msstatefair.com

 

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please move the fairgrounds to a new location. The fairgrounds are no different than the old Jackson Mall, Metrocenter Mall and soon to be Northpark Mall.

Anonymous said...

New security recommendations - Switch from 9mm to .45.

Anonymous said...

What? No back packs allowed?

Anonymous said...

-Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds.
-Exceptions and challenges to these policies will be satisfied at the discretion of Fair Management.


Basically if you appear and act like a responsible citizen, you will be allowed to open carry.

If you look like a feral, expect to be hassled.

I do not expect this to end well. Jackson, Mississippi is uncivilized. The irresponsible types do not respect authority AT ALL and you can't even use reasonable force to restrain the ferals!

Anonymous said...

“We’re going to search everybody, but don’t forget to bring your guns”

Anonymous said...

How sad that our society has fallen to where you have to go through a metal detector and TSA-like bag checks just to get into a family event. How sad you ask? Real fucking sad!!

Anonymous said...

That moron is inviting people to bring guns. No way I’m hell I’m going to the “state” fair.

Anonymous said...

@8:21 AM

OK Boomer FUD

10mm is the new hotness. Check the ballistic performance.

Anonymous said...

@8:21 found the boomer...run a 10mm or a FN5.7 when you want to get serious. It's all about velocity gramps.

Anonymous said...

Excellent. This will work! Gun toting rednecks, come on in. Thugs, leave your gat at the gate.

Anonymous said...

No unsupervised kids under 18-years after 9 PM. That won't work, because there is no practical way to identify them and then have them leave the venue after 9PM.

Anonymous said...

@8:36
Yup. Thugs wont be tolerated. However, if a black man swaggers up wearing a stetson and Ariat boots, he can open carry without worry.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good plan. I'll be monitoring from afar. Y'all let me know how it all works out.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely will not allow my children to attend the state fair. Day or night its just not worth the risk.

Anonymous said...

@8:34 AM / 8:35 AM - No, because 9mm to 10mm is only one velocity point increase, whereas 9mm to 45 is a 36 velocity point increase.

That'sMisterDeplorableToYou said...

Encouraging, at least. What would make an even bigger difference though is to check and scan the ID of EVERY adult entering and to make it known that the IDs shown were going to be ran for outstanding warrants. 99.99% of serious troublemakers already have a record of troublemaking.

Anonymous said...

Jackson Jambalaya: Come for the muckraking and political corruption, stay for the ballistics lessons and gun reviews!

Anonymous said...

@9:24
I own a 1911 and a Glock 20. The Glock 20 performs far better in ballistic gel than the 1911 chambered in .45 ACP. I can also double stack 15 rounds.

The point of this post is that we can defend ourselves at the fair. I will be there with my family and my trusted Glock 20, loaded with 10mm Hornady Critical Defense, holstered in my Fobus.

Anonymous said...

9:40, I too will attend the Fair fearlessly, owning TWO Glock 21s, modded to 11mm, a round and weapon far superior to the 10mm. I use them in Akimbo style, gunning down thugs with a fearsome volume of fire.

My accuracy as a combat handgunner was greatly enhanced during my years as an Echo Force (the latest Tier 1 unit you don't even know about) sniper in Afghanistan, blowing away 12 year olds in flip flops off their scooters from 1500 meters away, with my Glock 19. My PTSD treatment from this valorous service in no way impairs my judgement, just as dementia did not impede Andy from letting his Dad carry a weapon. It's our rite as 'Muricans.

So I plan to use my Stim Check money to buy a roll of tickets and ride constantly on the overhead cable cars to have a vantage point useful to those of us most capable of delivering high volumes of precisely aimed hard hitting firepower.

We are Brothers in Arms and I look forward to serving with you as The SheepDogs of the State Fair.

Virtute Et Armis

Anonymous said...

Y'all look for me at the fair. I will be dressed as the Outlaw Josey Wales. Carrying twin Colt Walkers.

Anonymous said...

Okay sir, I'm afraid you'll have to hand over your laser pointer keychain, the bottle of Diet Coke, and your backpack.

Oh but sir? Sir? Don't forget your AR-15 and Glock! Ha ha, wouldn't want you to head in without those. Have a great evening, sir.

Anonymous said...

Are gun toting rednecks a problem in Jackson now?

Anonymous said...

For decades the Fair has opened on a Wednesday. Why is it opening on a Thursday.

Anonymous said...

Applaud the efforts.
I haven't been in years so my presence wont be missed, but 8:51 makes a good point.
There is absolutely no way they kick the unsupervised yutes out at 9pm.
They may not admit more after that, and no doubt that is helpful, but it wont make the ones already there leave.

I hope it all turns out ok for those that attend, and no gun fire is exchanged.

Anonymous said...

9:40

I was nodding in agreement until you said "Fobus". Do yourself a favor and buy a decent holster. A full load 10MM is a beast to shoot and there are no "one shot stop" handgun rounds. Bullet placement is the name of the game with handguns. Any handgun is a device to buy you enough time to obtain a rifle.

And I have no idea what 9:24 is talking about..."velocity point" WTF???

Anonymous said...

@10:04
Swing and miss

Stuff About ZeroBear PolyBear said...

Andy (Cowboy) Gipson has stated his plan for keeping fair attenders safe. I applaud his Polyanna thinking as to what will work to keep thugs and gangbangers off the midway after 9:00 pm. I have one of those really dumb questions - What does he plan on doing to stop 8:30 pm shootouts? My plan is to stay home and check out the success of his efforts by reviewing our beloved (HRH) Kingfish's reports of body count from the previous day and total summary of total shots fired during the 2022 State Fair. I do miss them Corney Dogs and boxes of State Fair Taffey. Maybe I'll drop by for an hour at lunch one day and get my annual fix.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a whole lot of work to do for so little in return. Most family type people quit going years ago. As long as it is stays in Jackson the numbers will fall. If they do not allow the thugs who will be there anyway?

Anyone remember the thug in jail who broke out to go get him a turkey leg and returned to jail and posted him eating it?

Kingfish said...

The fair is just fine at lunchtime. I usually go every year at lunch and it's pretty nice - for a fair. ;-). No problems, no issues, other than the heat.

IF you go at night, Monday and Tuesday night tend to be the best and safest. The crowd is nicer and more family friendly. Never had an issue on those two nights.

Anonymous said...

"When a man with a .45 meets a man with a rifle, the man with a pistol will be a dead man", Ramon Rojo

Anonymous said...

Will the gunfights be streamed live?

Anonymous said...

What is the over/under on the number of banners with cowboy andy's face plastered on it ? i say 5 .
this is his cash cow , he needs everyone to come to cover his cut of corndogs and parking ......

Anonymous said...

10:04 - Well done -- I will feel safer knowing you are overhead.

Anonymous said...

I haven't attended the State Fair since the 1980s. After reading you can bring firearms while enjoying the food and rides, my string of years in not attending the Fair looks strong.

Anonymous said...

@10:04...just added a binary trigger to my Daniel Defense 5.57, but in a closer-range Jackistan thuggery situation the Benelli M4 with #4 buck is still my go-to.

Anonymous said...

Y'all gun nuts needs some serious mental help. Your perpetual penis envy and obsession with getting an opportunity to shoot African-American men, is truly sick!

Race Card Alert said...

@11:58 AM - What too you so long to raise the race card?

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a lot of testosterone will be at the fair this year, I'll pass

Anonymous said...

Surprised they didn't include instructions on what to do when the shooting starts.

Anonymous said...

Just a bunch of clatter to make the political types appear to be doing something constructive. There's nothing they or anybody can do to bring the ferals to heel. We cannot have nice things anymore.

Anonymous said...

I understood the under 18 rule to be that no one under 18 can enter fair after 9:00pm without a 21 or older guardian with them. Ok…. Then what is to stop the under 18 crowd from entering the fair at 8:45 alone??? Once they are in the midway…. There is no way to round up everyone under 18 without an adult with them. It sounds like a good plan…. But I don’t see how it will really work.

Anonymous said...

If they have metal detectors hopefully they can stop the juveniles from entering with firearms no matter what time it is.

Anonymous said...

Get there early, it will take a while to get in. Remember the clusterf*** at Memorial Stadium when the Saints held an exhibition game there a number of years ago?

Anonymous said...

Why metal detectors and bag searches if everyone will be carrying a gun?

Anonymous said...

What for almost a century was The Mid-South Fair in Memphis moved to Southaven's Lander Center several years back and still has the same name. They are there as of yesterday and will move on down to Jackson in a few weeks. It's the same group, same rides, same promoters, same Carneys. Since moving a few miles south of Memphis, there has been no trouble.

At this location, they employ a private security firm to provide off duty police personnel. Area departments, county and city still patrol and do walk thrus. This is the same location where President Trump appeared a few months ago and regular music artists of notoriety appear constantly.....Unlike the Jackson Coliseum where NOBODY appears.

The key to safety, as you know, was getting this ages-old fine family fair the hell out of Memphis. The same will hold true for Jackson, regardless of what 'The Hat' thinks or says to protect his little fiefdom.

Anonymous said...

I'll show up whenever Sheriff Andy (aka Rosco) is patrolling on a horse with one of those revolving red or blue police beacons tied to its forehead. See the episode on Duke of Hazard.

Anonymous said...

11:47 yep, yep…after reading Gipson’s press release, I had decided that it’s safe to take the grandkids to this year’s fair.
After reading these comments from JJ readers, I believe we’ll, again, take a rain check on this year’s fair.

Anonymous said...

So if Andy finds a weapon in my wife's purse, we're cool, right?

Anonymous said...

While Jackson is certainly a hell hole, there is a simple answer if you want to take kids - go in the daytime on a weekday. The troublemakers go at night.

Glad to see Andy is “sticking by his guns” and openly stating that law abiding citizens will be able to exercise their right to self defense. You hand wringers who have an issue with this may not realize it, but plenty of folks have been carrying their pistols to the fair before now. There is a sizable minority of folks now carrying concealed all around you every day. If a shooting breaks out near you one day you may be thankful for these folks. Anyone willing to step to the side of the metal detectors and let the cops run their license or show their carry permit are people you WANT carrying.

The discussions about caliber have been going on for a long time and the arguments will never stop. It’s not the caliber that matters, it’s the person behind the weapon and HITS that matter. As a prior poster alluded to, any pistol is a compromise. Even 45, 10mm, or 357 Magnum are all relatively low powered compared to a shotgun or rifle. A 10mm is not a death ray. Carry what makes you happy but center mass hits are what count. That being said, a 9mm or 38 Spl is ideally the lower threshold of effective calibers. But I’d rather tote a .32 than nothing.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing safe in Jackson and the State Fair hasn’t been safe in years! Bunch of rhetoric trying to make people think AG has a plan after the MudBug shooting/killing at the Fairgrounds.

No bag limit said...

The fair administration can not prohibit firearms at their venue for those who can lawfully carry, anymore than a city hall or tax office (Hint, hint, Madison) prohibit them. Only private business can do that, and of course courts that are in session.

The cowboy has no authority to prohibit firearms at the fair, so maybe this publicity is his way to hopefully create a deterrent.

"Concealed is concealed."

Anonymous said...

maybe check out some of the nearby local fairs. yazoo city has a pretty good one that runs about same time as state fair. it's less expensive and is usually very safe.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish; Nobody give a shit if you feel safe shuffling thru at high-noon and ordering a hot dog. The thugs are still in bed and most working people don't have that kind of lunch hour.

And you must remember...Mississippi has a mandatory school-attendance law, so all he under 17 year old cap-poppers are in school at that time, right.

Anonymous said...

Andy has actually done a decent job.

But as he insists on wearing that goofy
cowboy hat, he will always be laughed at ...

I have no personal issue with the man, but he's cartoon character.

Anonymous said...

The problem with avoiding the fair at night is that the rides are much more thrilling at night with the colorful lights in the darkness!

Oouuh WEeeee! said...

I love those octopus rides that have all those flashing colors and go real fast and make me scream and wet myself. It's a once-a-year thrill but I don't wear navy pants.



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