The Mississippi Capitol is losing its cannons.

The two World War I cannons have stood for decades on the south side of the building. On Thursday, they were permanently moved to the Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, where they will be restored and put on display.

Laura Jackson is director of the state Department of Finance and Administration. She says officials had concerns about maintenance of the cannons and the safety of children who climb on them.

A cannon was also removed Thursday from the War Memorial building in downtown Jackson. It will be restored at Camp Shelby and returned to the building a few blocks from the Capitol.

The Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Archives and History and legislative committees approved the changes.