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SB2079 • 2026

Reckless endangerment; create crime of.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE CRIME OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH CRIME SHALL BE A MISDEMEANOR; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN ENHANCEMENTS UNDER WHICH SUCH CRIME SHALL BE A FELONY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime Firearms
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Blackwell
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Creating a New Crime for Reckless Endangerment

This bill creates the crime of reckless endangerment and sets penalties for it.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines reckless endangerment as when someone acts in a way that puts another person at risk of serious harm or death.
  • Makes reckless endangerment a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
  • Increases the penalty to felony status if a deadly weapon is used during reckless endangerment.
  • Sets even higher penalties if a firearm is discharged into an occupied or unoccupied dwelling.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who commit acts that put others in danger of serious harm or death
  • Law enforcement and courts dealing with cases involving reckless endangerment

Terms To Know

Reckless Endangerment
A new crime where someone acts carelessly, putting another person at risk of serious injury or death.
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime that can result in jail time and fines.
Felony
A more serious crime with harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during the session it was introduced.
  • It is unclear how many people would be affected by this new law if passed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-08 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/08 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division B

Official Summary Text

Reckless endangerment; create crime of.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
S. B. No. 2079 *SS36/R170* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R170
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)

To: Judiciary, Division B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Blackwell

SENATE BILL NO. 2079

AN ACT TO CREATE THE CRIME OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT; TO 1
PROVIDE THAT SUCH CRIME SHALL BE A MISDEMEANOR; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN 2
ENHANCEMENTS UNDER WHICH SUCH CRIME SHALL BE A FELONY; AND FOR 3
RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. (1) A person commits the crime of reckless 6
endangerment when the person recklessly engages in conduct that 7
places another person in imminent danger of death or serious 8
bodily injury. 9
(2) Upon conviction of reckless endangerment, the person 10
shall be fined up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), placed in the 11
custody of the county jail for a term of not more than one (1) 12
year, or both fined and imprisoned. 13
(3) Upon conviction of reckless endangerment committed with 14
a deadly weapon, the person shall be fined up to Three Thousand 15
Dollars ($3000.00), imprisoned in the custody of the Department of 16
Corrections for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more 17
than six (6) years, or both fined and imprisoned. 18
S. B. No. 2079 *SS36/R170* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R170
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)
ST: Reckless endangerment; create crime of.
(4) (a) Upon conviction of reckless endangerment by 19
discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a dwelling house, as 20
defined by Section 97-17-31, that was occupied at the time of the 21
offense, the person shall be fined up to Ten Thousand Dollars 22
($10,000.00), imprisoned in the custody of the Department of 23
Corrections for a term of not less than three (3) years and not 24
more than fifteen (15) years, or both fined and imprisoned. 25
(b) Upon conviction of reckless endangerment by 26
discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a dwelling house, as 27
defined by Section 97-17-31, that was unoccupied at the time of 28
the offense, the person shall be fined up to Five Thousand Dollars 29
($5,000.00), imprisoned in the custody of the Department of 30
Corrections for a term of not less than two (2) years and not more 31
than twelve (12) years, or both fined and imprisoned. 32
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 33
and after July 1, 2026. 34