Pro gun news

the other thread got cluttered with requests for activism and was hard to see results mixed in...

From the LSA Website:

Let’s start the hit parade with the holy grail for gun owners, constitutional carry.

SB118 by Sen. John “Jay” Morris (Republican, West Monroe) has been approved by the State Senate on at vote of 27 Yeas to 11 Nays. This was the first constitutional carry bill to make it out of committee in Louisiana and, obviously, the first to pass a floor vote in Louisiana. The proposed law would allow for any person who does not possess a concealed handgun permit, but otherwise meets the same eligibility requirements as those who do possess a concealed handgun permit, to carry a handgun concealed. There are some caveats of course. The new law would extend the prohibition from carrying and concealing a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance to non-permitted but otherwise legal carriers. (You cannot carry if you are drunk or high). Likewise, just like for a permit holder, a person carrying under constitutional carry would be required to notify any police officer who approaches him/her in an official manner or with an identified official purpose that he/she has a weapon on his/her person, submit to a pat down, and allow the officer to temporarily disarm him/her. These requirements apply to any person, not just Louisiana residents.


HB596 by Rep. Bryan Fontenot (Republican, Thibodaux) has been approved by the State House on a vote of 73 Yeas to 28 Nays. The proposed law would allow for a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under any federal or state law to carry a concealed handgun. The proposed law removes the requirement under present law that a resident of Louisiana possess a permit issued by the state of Louisiana to carry a concealed handgun in the state of Louisiana. Further, it provides that an individual who meets the qualifications of current law to possess a concealed handgun permit shall not be required to possess a valid concealed handgun permit issued by the state of Louisiana to carry a concealed handgun. The proposed law also specifies that the new law shall not affect present law reciprocity requirements (meaning if you are not a resident of Louisiana but can legally carry a concealed handgun in our state through reciprocity with another state, that remains in effect). Like SB118, a person carrying a concealed handgun cannot do so under the influence of alcohol or drugs and must notify the police, submit to a pat down, and allow the officer to temporarily disarm them. In addition, HB596 directs the state police to include on their website information concerning applicable laws, available training, and even a free training video for those who are interested. There was bipartisan support for this bill.


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So, I know you’re asking yourself, “What happens if both bills pass both chambers?” The answer, both bills progress to the Governor’s desk. He will have three choices: Sign SB118 and veto HB596; sign HB596 and veto SB118; or veto both of them. I hope the reader will note that both of these bills have passed their respective chambers with more than 2/3 of the chamber vote. I’m sure the Honorable John Bel Edwards has noticed the same thing.
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Second Amendment Sanctuary

HB118 by Rep. Lawrence “Larry” Frieman (Republican, Abita Springs) hopes to add Louisiana to the ever-growing number of States that have had enough of the Federal Government encroaching on the Civil Rights of their citizens. The bill passed the House by a vote of 70 Yeas to 30 Nays and now heads to the Senate for their consideration.
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Concealed Carry Permits

HB48 by Rep. Blake Miguez (Republican, Erath) passed the house by unanimous approval (100 Yeas to 0 Nays). In a nutshell, this proposed legislation would expand the forms of training acceptable under the current training requirements for the permit.

The proposed law retains those certifications and provides for applicants to also complete any U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) handgun safety or training course conducted by a U.S. Concealed Carry Association certified instructor within the preceding 12 months. So under the new law, certification options for instructors will include :(1) The NRA as a Carrying a Concealed Weapon instructor; (2) The NRA Law Enforcement Division as an instructor for courses involving the teaching of handguns; (3) The USCCA as an instructor for Home Defense and Concealed Carry Fundamentals or Defensive Shooting Fundamentals; (4) The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Firearms Instructor Training Program or other federal agency firearms instructor course consisting of at least 40 hours of instruction; or (5) Other instructor certification programs approved by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

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Rep. Paul Hollis (Republican, Covington) authored HB124, which unanimously passed in the House on a vote of 95 Yeas to 0 Nays. This bill would modify existing law and provide that a person with a valid concealed handgun permit shall not be prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon on his person unless otherwise prohibited by present law. In other words, if you have a concealed handgun permit, you may carry a knife, or taser, or other defensive weapon in addition to your handgun. The proposed law would also make clear that persons with valid concealed handgun permits are excluded from the prohibition of carrying handguns in current law.


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The success that we have experienced this year is due in no small part to the activism of LSA members. On gun day in the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, at least 85 gun rights advocates attended. Another 140+ sent emails to the committee expressing their support. This kind of activism gets results. Thank you for your past support. However, the fight is not over. We have a few more committee hearings and floor votes to go. We will let you know when these get scheduled. Your continued emails and attendance will put these bills on the Governor’s desk.