Section 97-25-55 - Aircraft piracy; boarding aircraft with dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument(1) The offense of aircraft piracy is defined as the seizure or exercise of control, by force or violence or threat of force or violence, of any aircraft within the airspace jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi. Any person convicted of the offense of aircraft piracy shall suffer death or imprisonment for life in the state penitentiary.(2) The offense of assault with the intent to commit aircraft piracy is defined as an intimidation, threat, assault or battery toward any flight crew member or flight attendant (including any steward or stewardess) of such aircraft so as to interfere with the performance of duties by such member or attendant to perform his duties, with the intent to commit aircraft piracy as defined in subsection (1) of this section. Any person convicted of the offense of assault with intent to commit aircraft piracy shall serve a term not to exceed twenty (20) years or be fined a sum not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both. Any person who, in the commission of such intimidation, threat, assault or battery with the intent to commit aircraft piracy, employs a dangerous or deadly weapon or other means capable of inflicting serious bodily injury shall serve a term not to exceed fifty (50) years or be fined a sum not to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00), or both.
(3) Any person who boards an aircraft with a dangerous or deadly weapon or other means capable of inflicting serious bodily injury concealed upon his person or effects shall, upon conviction, serve a term not to exceed ten (10) years or be fined a sum not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both. The prohibition of this subsection shall not apply to duly elected or appointed law enforcement officers or commercial security personnel who are in possession of weapons used within the course and scope of their employment; nor shall the prohibition apply to persons who are in possession of weapons or means with the consent of the owner of such aircraft, or his agent, or the lessee or bailee of such aircraft.(4) Anyone accused of violating subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section shall be indicted and tried as provided by section 99-11-19.Laws, 1974, ch. 576, § 2; Laws, 1977, ch. 458, § 9, eff. 4/13/1977.