HINDS COUNTY, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted to expel one of their own from Monday’s board meeting.

District 2 Supervisor Tony Smith was dismissed from the meeting after he was found carrying a firearm without a concealed carry permit.

“If there is a safety issue that causes or poses a potential threat, I am to address it, or my staff are to address it,” said Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones.

The sheriff said he saw Smith had a weapon under his jacket shortly after the meeting went into recess. That’s when Jones began questioning the supervisor.

“Well, it’s a little unusual, but we’re just following the protocol and the procedure. And we were informed about this from the sheriff, and the sheriff told us about this. And we followed the orders of the sheriff as to what we need to do,” said District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham.

Smith was escorted to his vehicle, and the Board voted to expel him for the remainder of the meeting.

“I also asked him did he have an enhanced carry permit that would have allowed him to have the weapon in this building. He did not,” said Jones.

No charges have been brought against Smith. WJTV 12 News reached out to him for a comment, but we have not heard back.

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