BOYS STATE

“I talked about how the AR-15-style guns only account for a small fraction of gun deaths and that banning them would do nothing to curb gun deaths in America,” he said of the gun control debate.

“In any economy there is supply and demand and regardless if you banned them, people would still be able to find them,” he added

The American Legion Boys State has been a tradition for rising high school juniors in the state for years. This year's version has attracted more than 400 students from across the state for a week of mockgovernment and leadership training, as well as policy debates, to the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford.

The 400 high school seniors are divided into 10 cities and assigned political parties — Nationalist, Independent or Federalist. The 40 members of each city spend the week together, learning and exploring topics and competing against other cities.

The cities compete against others in politics, athletics, and other competitions in an attempt win the award of “Best City” at the end of the week. The political parties develop a platform, hold primaries, and ultimately try and win the general election.

Delegates can run for and participate in political office, compete at athletic or academic competitions, take part in legal simulations, and work in broadcast and print journalism. Delegates are advised throughout the week by staffers who are all graduates of the Boys State.

Boys State ends Saturday.