Louisiana Firearm Laws :: American Gun Owners Alliance

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that, "[a] well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed".
Article I, Section 11 of the Louisiana Constitution provides that "The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny."
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) prohibits a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year from purchasing a firearm.
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) further prohibits any person who the court has determined to have certain mental conditions from purchasing a firearm.
Based upon the successful interfacing of state law enforcement agencies with the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal databases, information regarding a person's criminal convictions is available at the point of sale.
However, the reporting of judicial decisions which would, in effect, prohibit a person from being eligible to purchase a firearm under federal law has not been consistent nor has the information been uniformly reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The state of Louisiana has a compelling interest in protecting and preserving the fundamental rights of its citizens to keep and bear arms while also ensuring the timely reporting of information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding court decisions which would prohibit the purchase of a firearm.
It is the express intention of the legislature that the provisions of this Section and R.S. 13:753 are enacted to provide for the collection of information and to facilitate the reporting of information which would prohibit the purchasing of firearms while preserving the constitutional rights of Louisiana citizens to keep and bear arms.

Acts 2013, No. 403, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014.

Each district clerk of court shall report to the Louisiana Supreme Court for reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database the name and other identifying information of any adult who is prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to the laws of this state or 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4), (8), and (9), by reason of a conviction or adjudication in a court of that district for any of the following:
1. A conviction of a crime listed in R.S. 14:95.1(A).
2. A verdict of an acquittal of by reason of insanity pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title XXI of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
3. A court determination that a person does not have the mental capacity to proceed with a criminal trial pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1 of Title XXI of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
4. A court order requiring that a person be involuntarily committed to an inpatient mental health treatment facility pursuant to R.S. 28:54.
5. A court order prohibiting a person from possessing a firearm or restricting a person in the use of a firearm.
6. A conviction for a violation of domestic abuse battery (R.S. 14:35.3) which is a felony.
Each city and parish clerk of court shall report to the Louisiana Supreme Court for reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database the name and other identifying information of any adult who is prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to the laws of this state or 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4), (g)(4), (8), and (9), by reason of a conviction or adjudication in a court of that district for any of the following:
1. A conviction for a violation of domestic abuse battery (R.S. 14:35.3) that is a misdemeanor.
2. A verdict of an acquittal of a misdemeanor crime by reason of insanity pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title XXI of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
3. A court determination that a person does not have the mental capacity to proceed with a criminal trial for a misdemeanor crime pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1 of Title XXI of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
4. A court order prohibiting a person from possessing a firearm or restricting a person in the use of a firearm.
The reports required by Subsections A and B of this Section shall be submitted to the Louisiana Supreme Court, in the manner and form as directed by the supreme court, within ten business days of the date of conviction, adjudication, or order of involuntary commitment.
The Louisiana Supreme Court shall, within fifteen business days of receipt of the report, submit the information in the report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database.
Except in the case of willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, no city, parish, or district clerk of court shall be held civilly or criminally liable on the basis of the accuracy, availability, or unavailability of any information reported or required to be reported pursuant to this Section.
A person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution and is therefore, pursuant to federal law, prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition or, pursuant to state law, is ineligible to possess a firearm or obtain a concealed handgun permit, may petition the court for restoration of firearm rights pursuant to R.S. 16 28:57.

Acts 2013, No. 403, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2013, No. 404, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2016 No. 124. eff. August 1, 2016 Amended 2018 Act 181; Amended 2018 Act 532

The fact that an offender's conduct is justifiable, although otherwise criminal, shall constitute a defense to prosecution for any crime based on that conduct. This defense of justification can be claimed under the following circumstances:

When the offender's conduct is an apparently authorized and reasonable fulfillment of any duties of public office; or
When the offender's conduct is a reasonable accomplishment of an arrest which is lawful under the Code of Criminal Procedure; or
When for any reason the offender's conduct is authorized by law; or
When the offender's conduct is reasonable discipline of minors by their parents, tutors or teachers; or
When the crime consists of a failure to perform an affirmative duty and the failure to perform is caused by physical impossibility; or
When any crime, except murder, is committed through the compulsion of threats by another of death or great bodily harm, and the offender reasonably believes the person making the threats is present and would immediately carry out the threats if the crime were not committed; or
When the offender's conduct is in defense of persons or of property under any of the circumstances described in Articles 19 through 22.

1. The use of force or violence upon the person of another is justifiable under either of the following circumstances:
  1. When committed for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against the person or a forcible offense or trespass against property in a person's lawful possession, provided that the force or violence used must be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense.
  2. 1. When committed by a person lawfully inside a dwelling, a place of business, or a motor vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(40) when the conflict began, against a person who is attempting to make an unlawful entry into the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle, or who has made an unlawful entry into the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle, and the person using the force or violence reasonably believes that the use of force or violence is necessary to prevent the entry or to compel the intruder to leave the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle.
    2. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply when the person using the force or violence is engaged, at the time of the use of force or violence in the acquisition of, the distribution of, or possession of, with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in violation of the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.
2. The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Section shall not apply where the force or violence results in a homicide.
For the purposes of this Section, there shall be a presumption that a person lawfully inside a dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle held a reasonable belief that the use of force or violence was necessary to prevent unlawful entry thereto, or to compel an unlawful intruder to leave the premises or motor vehicle, if both of the following occur:
1. The person against whom the force or violence was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcibly entering or had unlawfully and forcibly entered the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle.
2. The person who used force or violence knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry was occurring or had occurred.
A person who is not engaged in unlawful activity and who is in a place where he or she has a right to be shall have no duty to retreat before using force or violence as provided for in this Section and may stand his or her ground and meet force with force.
No finder of fact shall be permitted to consider the possibility of retreat as a factor in determining whether or not the person who used force or violence in defense of his person or property had a reasonable belief that force or violence was reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent a forcible offense or to prevent the unlawful entry.

Acts 2006, No. 141, §1; Acts 2014, No. 163, § 1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

A homicide is justifiable:
1. When committed in self-defense by one who reasonably believes that he is in imminent danger of losing his life or receiving great bodily harm and that the killing is necessary to save himself from that danger.
2. When committed for the purpose of preventing a violent or forcible felony involving danger to life or of great bodily harm by one who reasonably believes that such an offense is about to be committed and that such action is necessary for its prevention. The circumstances must be sufficient to excite the fear of a reasonable person that there would be serious danger to his own life or person if he attempted to prevent the felony without the killing.
3. When committed against a person whom one reasonably believes to be likely to use any unlawful force against a person present in a dwelling or a place of business, or when committed against a person whom one reasonably believes is attempting to use any unlawful force against a person present in a motor vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(40), while committing or attempting to commit a burglary or robbery of such dwelling, business, or motor vehicle.
4. 1. When committed by a person lawfully inside a dwelling, a place of business, or a motor vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(40) when the conflict began, against a person who is attempting to make an unlawful entry into the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle, or who has made an unlawful entry into the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle, and the person committing the homicide reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the entry or to compel the intruder to leave the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle.
  2. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply when the person committing the homicide is engaged, at the time of the homicide, in the acquisition of, the distribution of, or possession of, with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in violation of the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.
For the purposes of this Section, there shall be a presumption that a person lawfully inside a dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle held a reasonable belief that the use of deadly force was necessary to prevent unlawful entry thereto, or to compel an unlawful intruder to leave the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle when the conflict began, if both of the following occur:
1. The person against whom deadly force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcibly entering or had unlawfully and forcibly entered the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle.
2. The person who used deadly force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry was occurring or had occurred.
A person who is not engaged in unlawful activity and who is in a place where he or she has a right to be shall have no duty to retreat before using deadly force as provided for in this Section, and may stand his or her ground and meet force with force.
No finder of fact shall be permitted to consider the possibility of retreat as a factor in determining whether or not the person who used deadly force had a reasonable belief that deadly force was reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent a violent or forcible felony involving life or great bodily harm or to prevent the unlawful entry.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 655, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 392, §1; Acts 1983, No. 234, §1; Acts 1993, No. 516, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1378, §1; Acts 2003, No. 660, §1; Acts 2006, No. 141, §1; Acts 2014, No. 163, § 1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

Whenever a death results from violence or under suspicious circumstances and a claim of self-defense is raised, the appropriate law enforcement agency and coroner shall expeditiously conduct a full investigation of the death. All evidence of such investigation shall be preserved.

Acts 2012, No. 690, §1, eff. June 7, 2012.

A person who is the aggressor or who brings on a difficulty cannot claim the right of self-defense unless he withdraws from the conflict in good faith and in such a manner that his adversary knows or should know that he desires to withdraw and discontinue the conflict.

It is justifiable to use force or violence or to kill in the defense of another person when it is reasonably apparent that the person attacked could have justifiably used such means himself, and when it is reasonably believed that such intervention is necessary to protect the other person.

No person shall enter any structure, watercraft, or movable owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization.
No person shall enter upon immovable property owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization.
No person shall remain in or upon property, movable or immovable, owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization.
It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution for a violation of Subsection A, B, or C of this Section, that the accused had express, legal, or implied authority to be in the movable or on the immovable property.
The following persons may enter or remain upon the structure, watercraft, movable or immovable property, of another:
1. A duly commissioned law enforcement officer in the performance of his duties.
2. Any firefighter, whether or not a member of a volunteer or other fire department, and any employee or agent of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry engaged in locating and suppressing a fire.
3. Emergency medical personnel engaged in the rendering of medical assistance to an individual.
4. Any federal, state or local government employee, public utility employee or agent engaged in suppressing or dealing with an emergency that presents an imminent danger to human safety or health or to the environment.
5. Any federal, state or local government employee, public utility employee or agent in the performance of his duties when otherwise authorized by law to enter or remain on immovable or movable property.
6. Any person authorized by a court of law to enter or remain on immovable property.
7. Any person exercising the mere right of passage to an enclosed estate, as otherwise provided by law.
The following persons may enter or remain upon immovable property of another, unless specifically forbidden to do so by the owner or other person with authority, either orally or in writing:
1. A professional land surveyor or his authorized personnel, engaged in the "Practice of Land Surveying", as defined in R.S. 37:682.
2. A person, affiliate, employee, agent or contractor of any business which is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission or by a local franchising authority or the Federal Communication Commission under the Cable Reregulation Act of 1992 or of a municipal or public utility, while acting in the course and scope of his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility, servitude or any property located on the immovable property which belongs to such a business.
3. Any person making a delivery, soliciting, selling any product or service, conducting a survey or poll, a real estate licensee or other person who has a legitimate reason for making a delivery, conducting business or communicating with the owner, lessee, custodian or a resident of the immovable property, and who, immediately upon entry, seeks to make the delivery, to conduct business or to conduct the communication.
4. An employee of the owner, lessee or custodian of the immovable property while performing his duties, functions and responsibilities in the course and scope of his employment.
5. The owner of domestic livestock or his employees or agents while in the process of retrieving his domestic livestock that have escaped from an area fenced to retain such domestic livestock.
6. The owner of a domestic animal while in the sole process of merely retrieving his domestic animal from immovable property and not having a firearm or other weapon on his person.
7. Any candidate for political office or any person working on behalf of a candidate for a political office.
8. The owner or occupant of a watercraft or vessel traveling in salt water engaged in any lawful purpose for the purpose of retrieval of his property or for obtaining assistance in an emergency situation.
The following penalties shall be imposed for a violation of this Section:
1. For the first offense, the fine shall be not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both.
2. For the second offense, the fine shall be not less than three hundred dollars and not more than seven hundred fifty dollars, or imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both.
3. For the third offense and all subsequent offenses, the fine shall be not less than five hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisonment for not less than sixty days and not more than six months, or both, and forfeiture to the law enforcement authority of any property seized in connection with the violation.
4. A person may be convicted of a second offense and any subsequent offenses regardless of whether any prior conviction involved the same structure, watercraft, movable or immovable property and regardless of the time sequence of the occurrence of the offenses.
5. In addition to the foregoing penalties, and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a person convicted under this Section who has killed or otherwise misappropriated any wildlife, as defined by R.S. 56:8, in the course of commission of the offense shall forfeit the misappropriated wildlife to the law enforcement authority, and shall be ordered to pay the value of the misappropriated wildlife into the Conservation Fund of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in accordance with R.S. 56:40.1 et seq. The value of the wildlife that was misappropriated shall be determined by the guidelines adopted by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission pursuant to R.S. 56:40.2.
The provisions of any other law notwithstanding, owners, lessees, and custodians of structures, watercraft, movable or immovable property shall not be answerable for damages sustained by any person who enters upon the structure, watercraft, movable or immovable property without express, legal or implied authorization, or who without legal authorization, remains upon the structure, watercraft, movable or immovable property after being forbidden by the owner, or other person with authority to do so; however, the owner, lessee or custodian of the property may be answerable for damages only upon a showing that the damages sustained were the result of the intentional acts or gross negligence of the owner, lessee or custodian.
A minor ten years old or younger shall not be arrested, detained or apprehended for the crime of trespass.

Amended by Acts 1960, No. 458, §1; Acts 1964, No. 497, §1; Acts 1981, No. 78, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982; Acts 1990, No. 870, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 438, §1; Acts 1993, No. 887, §1; Acts 2003, No. 279, §3; Acts 2003, No. 802, §1; Acts 2012, No. 561, §1.

1. Illegal possession of stolen firearms is the intentional possessing, procuring, receiving, or concealing of a firearm which has been the subject of any form of misappropriation.
2. It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution for a violation of this Section that the offender had no knowledge that the firearm was the subject of any form of misappropriation.
3. It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution for a violation of this Section that the alleged offender has or had possession of the firearm pursuant to his regular course of business, is in possession of a valid federal firearms license, is routinely in the possession of firearms for sale, pawn, lease, rent, repair, modification, or other legitimate acts as part of his normal scope of business operations, and is enforcing a privilege pursuant to R.S. 9:4502.
Whoever commits the crime of illegal possession of firearms shall be punished as follows:
1. For a first offense, the penalty shall be imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years.
2. For second and subsequent offenses, the penalty shall be imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not less than two years nor more than ten years.

Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 116, §1; Acts 2001, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2014, No. 141, §1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities is the intentional or criminally negligent discharging of any firearm, or the throwing, placing, or other use of any article, liquid, or substance, where it is foreseeable that it may result in death or great bodily harm to a human being.
Except as provided in Subsection E, whoever commits the crime of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years, or both.
Except as provided in Subsection E, on a second or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five years nor more than seven years, without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence.
The enhanced penalty upon second and subsequent convictions provided for in Subsection C of this Section shall not be applicable in cases where more than five years have elapsed since the expiration of the maximum sentence, or sentences, of the previous conviction or convictions, and the time of the commission of the last offense for which he has been convicted. The sentence to be imposed in such event shall be the same as may be imposed upon a first conviction.
Whoever commits the crime of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle located upon a public street or highway, where the intent is to injure, harm, or frighten another human being, shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five nor more than ten years without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence.
Whoever commits the crime of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities by discharging a firearm while committing, attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, or soliciting, coercing, or intimidating another person to commit a crime of violence or violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less then ten years nor more than twenty years, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. If the firearm used in violation of this Subsection is a machine gun or is equipped with a firearm silencer or muffler, as defined by R.S. 40:1751 and R.S. 40:1781, respectively, the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than twenty years nor more than thirty years, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, under this Subsection, such offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than twenty years. If the violation of this Subsection, upon second or subsequent conviction, involves the use of a machine gun or a firearm equipped with a firearm silencer or muffler, such offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Amended by Acts 1958, No. 379, §§1, 3; Acts 1960, No. 550, §1; Acts 1966, No. 58, §1; Acts 1968, No. 647, §1; Acts 1972, No. 650, §1; Acts 1991, No. 904, §1; Acts 1992, No. 1015, §1; Acts 1995, No. 748, §1.

Illegal carrying of weapons is:
1. The intentional concealment of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, on one's person; or
2. The ownership, possession, custody or use of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used as a dangerous weapon, at any time by an enemy alien; or
3. The ownership, possession, custody or use of any tools, or dynamite, or nitroglycerine, or explosives, or other instrumentality customarily used by thieves or burglars at any time by any person with the intent to commit a crime; or
4. 1. The manufacture, ownership, possession, custody or use of any switchblade knife, spring knife or other knife or similar instrument having a blade which may be automatically unfolded or extended from a handle by the manipulation of a button, switch, latch or similar contrivance located on the handle.
  2. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to the following:
    1. Any knife that may be opened with one hand by manual pressure applied to the blade or any projection of the blade.
    2. Any knife that may be opened by means of inertia produced by the hand, wrist, or other movement, provided the knife has either a detent or other structure that provides resistance that shall be overcome in opening or initiating the opening movement of the blade or a bias or spring load toward the closed position.
5. 1. The intentional possession or use by any person of a dangerous weapon on a school campus during regular school hours or on a school bus. "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, or vo-tech school in this state and "campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property. "School bus" means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
  2. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to:
    1. A peace officer as defined by R.S. 14:30(B) in the performance of his official duties.
    2. A school official or employee acting during the normal course of his employment or a student acting under the direction of such school official or employee.
    3. Any person having the written permission of the principal or school board and engaged in competition or in marksmanship or safety instruction.
1. Whoever commits the crime of illegal carrying of weapons shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
2. Whoever commits the crime of illegal carrying of weapons with any firearm used in the commission of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B), shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than two years, or both. Any sentence issued pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph and any sentence issued pursuant to a violation of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) shall be served consecutively.
On a second conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years.
On third and subsequent convictions, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
If the offender uses, possesses, or has under his immediate control any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, while committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence or while unlawfully in the possession a controlled dangerous substance except the possession of fourteen grams or less of marijuana, of or during the unlawful sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, the offender shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five nor more than ten years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than twenty years nor more than thirty years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
1. For purposes of determining whether a defendant has a prior conviction for a violation of this Section, a conviction pursuant to this Section or a conviction pursuant to an ordinance of a local governmental subdivision of this state which contains the elements provided for in Subsection A of this Section shall constitute a prior conviction.
2. The enhanced penalty upon second, third, and subsequent convictions shall not be applicable in cases where more than five years have elapsed since the expiration of the maximum sentence, or sentences, of the previous conviction or convictions, and the time of the commission of the last offense for which he has been convicted; the sentence to be imposed in such event shall be the same as may be imposed upon a first conviction.
3. Any ordinance that prohibits the unlawful carrying of firearms enacted by a municipality, town, or similar political subdivision or governing authority of this state shall be subject to the provisions of R.S. 40:1796.
1. The provisions of this Section except Paragraph (4) of Subsection A shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies, state and city police, constables and town marshals, or persons vested with police power when in the actual discharge of official duties. These provisions shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies and state and city police who are not actually discharging their official duties, provided that such persons are full time, active, and certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have on their persons valid identification as duly commissioned law enforcement officers.
2. The provisions of this Section except Paragraph (4) of Subsection A shall not apply to any law enforcement officer who is retired from full-time active law enforcement service with at least twelve years service upon retirement, nor shall it apply to any enforcement officer of the office of state parks, in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism who is retired from active duty as an enforcement officer, provided that such retired officers have on their persons valid identification as retired law enforcement officers, which identification shall be provided by the entity which employed the officer prior to his or her public retirement. The retired law enforcement officer must be qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have proof of such qualification. This exception shall not apply to such officers who are medically retired based upon any mental impairment.
3. 1. The provisions of this Section except Paragraph (4) of Subsection A shall not apply to active or retired reserve or auxiliary law enforcement officers qualified annually by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and who have on their person valid identification as active or retired reserve law or auxiliary municipal police officers. The active or retired reserve or auxiliary municipal police officer shall be qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have proof of such certification.
  2. For the purposes of this Paragraph, a reserve or auxiliary municipal police officer shall be defined as a volunteer, non-regular, sworn member of a law enforcement agency who serves with or without compensation and has regular police powers while functioning as such agency's representative, and who participates on a regular basis in agency activities including, but not limited to those pertaining to crime prevention or control, and the preservation of the peace and enforcement of the law.
1. Except as provided in Paragraph (A)(5) of this Section and in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, the provisions of this Section shall not prohibit active justices or judges of the supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, parish courts, juvenile courts, family courts, city courts, federal courts domiciled in the state of Louisiana, and traffic courts, members of either house of the legislature, officers of either house of the legislature, the legislative auditor, designated investigative auditors, constables, coroners, designated coroner investigators, district attorneys and designated assistant district attorneys, United States attorneys and assistant United States attorneys and investigators, the attorney general, designated assistant attorneys general, and justices of the peace from possessing and concealing a handgun on their person when such persons are qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training..
2. Nothing in this Subsection shall permit the carrying of a weapon in the state capitol building.
The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the carrying of a concealed handgun by a person who is a college or university police officer under the provisions of R.S. 17:1805 and who is carrying a concealed handgun in accordance with the provisions of that statute.
The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the ownership of rescue knives by commissioned full-time law enforcement officers. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the carrying of rescue knives by commissioned full-time law enforcement officers who are in the actual discharge of their official duties. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the sale of rescue knives to commissioned full-time law enforcement officers. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the ownership or possession of rescue knives by merchants who own or possess the knives solely as inventory to be offered for sale to commissioned full-time law enforcement officers. As used in this Subsection, a "rescue knife" is a folding knife, which can be readily and easily opened with one hand and which has at least one blade which is designed to be used to free individuals who are trapped by automobile seat belts, or at least one blade which is designed for a similar purpose. No blade of a rescue knife shall exceed five inches in length.
1. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit a retired justice or judge of the supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, parish courts, juvenile courts, family courts, city courts, retired district attorneys, retired assistant district attorneys, and former members of either house of the legislature from possessing and concealing a handgun on their person provided that such retired person or former member of the legislature is qualified annually, at their expense, in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and has on their person valid identification showing proof of their status as a former member of the legislature or as a retired justice, judge, attorney general, assistant attorney general, district attorney, or assistant district attorney. For a former member of the legislature, the valid identification showing proof of status as a former legislator required by the provisions of this Paragraph shall be a legislative badge issued by the Louisiana Legislature that shall include the former member's name, the number of the district that the former member was elected to represent, the years that the former member served in the legislature, and words that indicate the person's status as a former member of the legislature.
2. The retired justice, judge, attorney general, assistant attorney general, district attorney, or assistant district attorney or former member of the legislature shall be qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have proof of qualification. However, this Subsection shall not apply to a retired justice, judge, attorney general, assistant attorney general, district attorney, or assistant district attorney or to a former member of the legislature who is medically retired based upon any mental impairment, or who has entered a plea of guiltyor nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony offense. For the purposes of this Subsection, "retired district attorney" or "retired assistant district attorney" shall mean a district attorney or an assistant district attorney receiving retirement benefits from the District Attorneys' Retirement System.
The provisions of Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section shall not apply to any person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to R.S. 14:95.1 or any other state or federal law and who is carrying a concealed firearm on or about his person while in the act of evacuating during a mandatory evacuation order issued during a state of emergency or disaster declared pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act. For purposes of this Subsection, "in the act of evacuating" means the immediate and urgent movement of a person away from the evacuation area within forty-eight hours after a mandatory evacuation is ordered. The forty-eight-hour period may be extended by an order issued by the governor.

Amended by Acts 1956, No. 345, §1; Acts 1958, No. 21, §1; Acts 1958, No. 379, §§1, 3; Acts 1968, No. 647, §1; Acts 1975, No. 492, §1; Acts 1986, No. 38, §1; Acts 1992, No. 1017, §1; Acts 1993, No. 636, §1; Acts 1993, No. 844, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 143, §1; Acts 1995, No. 636, §1; Acts 1995, No. 930, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1195, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1199, §1; Acts 1997, No. 508, §1; Acts 1997, No. 611, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1064, §1; Acts 1999, No. 738, §1; Acts 1999, No. 924, §1; Acts 1999, No. 953, §1; Acts 2003, No. 608, §1; Acts 2003, No. 766, §1; Acts 2006, No. 515, §1; Acts 2006, No. 589, §1; Acts 2008, No. 172, §1; Acts 2011, No. 159, §1; Acts 2012, No. 302, §1; Acts 2012, No. 383, §1; Acts 2014, No. 390, §2, eff. Aug 1, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 776, §1; Acts 2015, No. 288, §1; Acts 2015, No. 176, §1; Acts 2016 No. 541 eff. 08/01/2016; ch. 543 eff. 08/01/2016 Amended 2018 Act. 709, Acts 2020 No. 322 § 1

It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of, or has been found not guilty by reason of insanity for, a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) which is a felony or simple burglary, burglary of a pharmacy, burglary of an inhabited dwelling, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, felony illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, manufacture or possession of a delayed action incendiary device, manufacture or possession of a bomb, or possession of a firearm while in the possession of or during the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, or any violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law which is a felony, or any crime which is defined as a sex offense in R.S. 15:541, or any crime defined as an attempt to commit one of the above-enumerated offenses under the laws of this state, or who has been convicted under the laws of any other state or of the United States or of any foreign government or country of a crime which, if committed in this state, would be one of the above-enumerated crimes, to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon.
Whoever is found guilty of violating the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five nor more than twenty years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 14:27, whoever is found guilty of attempting to violate the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than seven and one-half years and fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars.
The provisions of this Section prohibiting the possession of firearms and carrying concealed weapons by persons who have been convicted of , or who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity for, certain felonies shall not apply to any person who has not been convicted of any felony for a period of ten years from the date of completion of sentence, probation, parole, suspension of sentence, or discharge from a mental institution by a court of competent jurisdiction.
For the purposes of this Section, "firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 492, §2. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 279, §1; Acts 1985, No. 947, §1; Acts 1990, No. 328, §1; Acts 1992, No. 403, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 28, §1; Acts 1995, No. 987, §1; Acts 2003, No. 674, §1; Acts 2009, No. 154, §1; Acts 2009, No. 160, §1; Acts 2010, No. 815, §1; Acts 2010, No. 942, §1. Amended 2017 Act. 281; Amended 2018 Act 532

Illegally supplying a felon with a firearm is the intentional giving, selling, donating, providing, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to any person known by the offender to be a person convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing a firearm as provided for in R.S. 14:95.1.
Whoever commits the crime of illegally supplying a felon with a firearm shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years and may be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. At least one year of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Acts 2004, No. 385, §1. Amended 2018 Act. 124

Illegally supplying a felon with ammunition is the intentional giving, selling, donating, providing, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring ammunition to any person known by the offender to be a person convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing a firearm as provided for in R.S. 14:95.1.
For the purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
1. "Ammunition" means any projectiles with their fuses, propelling charges, or primers fired from any firearm.
2. "Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, or assault rifle, which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
Whoever commits the crime of illegally supplying a felon with ammunition shall be imprisoned for not more than five years and may be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.

Acts 2008, No. 622, §1.

It is unlawful for any person:
1. To knowingly solicit, persuade, encourage, or entice a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms or ammunition to sell a firearm or ammunition under circumstances which the person knows would violate the laws of this state or of the United States.
2. To provide to a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms or ammunition what the person knows to be materially false information with intent to deceive the dealer or seller about the legality of a sale of a firearm or ammunition.
3. To willfully procure another person to engage in conduct prohibited by this Section.
For purposes of this Section:
1. "Ammunition" means any cartridge, shell, or projectile designed for use in a firearm.
2. "Licensed dealer" means a person who is licensed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §923 to engage in the business of dealing in firearms or ammunition.
3. "Materially false information" means information that portrays an illegal transaction as legal or a legal transaction as illegal.
4. "Private seller" means a person who sells or offers for sale any firearm or ammunition.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a law enforcement officer acting in his official capacity or to a person acting at the direction of such law enforcement officer.
Whoever violates the provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than twenty years, or both. The sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
1. If a person is reported ineligible to purchase firearms by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the licensed dealer shall report the NICS denial to the sheriff of the parish in which the attempted purchase occurred and to the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System.
2. If at any time a law enforcement agency discovers that a licensed dealer knew or should have known that a purchaser or attempted purchaser of a firearm was prohibited from possessing a firearm and the licensed dealer failed to report as required by this Section, the sheriff or law enforcement agency shall notify all state and federal licensing agencies of the licensed dealer's failure to report.

Acts 2012, No. 335, §1. Amended 2018 Act. 367

Illegal transfer of a firearm to a prohibited possessor is the intentional giving, selling, donating, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to any person known to the offender to be a person prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
Whoever commits the crime of illegal transfer of a firearm to a prohibited possessor shall be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than one year, or both.

Enacted 2018 Act 367, Amended 2019 Act 427 sec. 1

Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful and shall be defined as possession of any firearm or dangerous weapon, on one's person, at any time while on a school campus, on school transportation, or at any school sponsored function in a specific designated area including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities, or within one thousand feet of any school campus.
For purposes of this Section, the following words have the following meanings:
1. "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, or university in this state.
2. "Campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property.
3. "School bus" means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
4. "Nonstudent" means any person not registered and enrolled in that school or a suspended student who does not have permission to be on the school campus.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. A federal law enforcement officer or a Louisiana-commissioned state or local Post Certified law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a firearm.
2. A school official or employee acting during the normal course of his employment or a student acting under the direction of such school official or employee.
3. Any person having the written permission of the principal or as provided in R.S. 17:3361.1.
4. The possession of a firearm occurring within one thousand feet of school property and entirely on private property, or entirely within a private residence.
5. Any constitutionally protected activity which cannot be regulated by the state, such as a firearm contained entirely within a motor vehicle.
6. Any student carrying a firearm to or from a class, in which he is duly enrolled, that requires the use of the firearm in the class.
7. A student enrolled or participating in an activity requiring the use of a firearm including but not limited to any ROTC function under the authorization of a university.
8. A student who possesses a firearm in his dormitory room or while going to or from his vehicle or any other person with permission of the administration.
9. Any person who has a valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1 or 1379.3 and who carries a concealed handgun within one thousand feet of any school campus.
1. Whoever commits the crime of carrying a firearm, or a dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school-sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five years.
2. Whoever commits the crime of carrying a firearm, or a dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, on school property or in a firearm-free zone with the firearm or dangerous weapon being used in the commission of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) on school property or in a firearm-free zone, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both. Any sentence issued pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph and any sentence issued pursuant to a violation of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) shall be served consecutively. Upon commitment to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections after conviction for a crime committed on school property, at a school-sponsored function or in a firearm-free zone, the department shall have the offender evaluated through appropriate examinations or tests conducted under the supervision of the department. Such evaluation shall be made within thirty days of the order of commitment.
Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of school property shall not be a defense.
1. School officials shall notify all students and parents of the impact of this legislation and shall post notices of the impact of this Section at each major point of entry to the school. These notices shall be maintained as permanent notices.
2. 1. If a student is detained by the principal or other school official for violation of this Section or the school principal or other school official confiscates or seizes a firearm or concealed weapon from a student while upon school property, at a school function, or on a school bus, the principal or other school official in charge at the time of the detention or seizure shall immediately report the detention or seizure to the police department or sheriff's department where the school is located and shall deliver any firearm or weapon seized to that agency.
  2. The confiscated weapon shall be disposed of or destroyed as provided by law.
3. If a student is detained pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection for carrying a concealed weapon on campus, the principal shall immediately notify the student's parents.
4. If a person is arrested for carrying a concealed weapon on campus by a university or college police officer, the weapon shall be given to the sheriff, chief of police, or other officer to whom custody of the arrested person is transferred as provided by R.S. 17:1805(B).
Any principal or school official in charge who fails to report the detention of a student or the seizure of a firearm or concealed weapon to a law enforcement agency as required by Paragraph (F)(2) of this Section within seventy-two hours of notice of the detention or seizure may be issued a misdemeanor summons for a violation hereof and may be fined not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to not more than forty hours of community service, or both. Upon successful completion of the community service or payment of the fine, or both, the arrest and conviction shall be set aside as provided for in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894(B).

Acts 1991, No. 833, §1; Acts 1992, No. 197, §1; Acts 1993, No. 844, §1; Acts 1993, No. 1031, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 25, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 38, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 107, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1236, §1; Acts 2010, No. 925, §1; Acts 2013, No. 400, §1; Acts 2014, No. 324, $sect;1, eff. Aug 1, 2014. Amended 2018 Act. 629

Whoever commits the crime of illegal carrying of weapons pursuant to R.S. 14:95 with any firearm used in the commission of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B), within one thousand feet of any parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both. Any sentence issued pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection and any sentence issued pursuant to a violation of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) shall be served consecutively.
As used in this Section, the following words mean:
1. "Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, or assault rifle, which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
2. "Parade" for the purposes of this Section shall be defined as any celebration of Mardi Gras or directly related pre-Lenten or carnival related festivities, school parades, parish parades, state parades or municipal parades, or any demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.
3. "Parade route" means any public sidewalk, street, highway, bridge, alley, road, or other public passageway upon which a parade travels.
Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of the parade route shall not be a defense.

Acts 2004, No. 661, §1.

Reckless discharge of a firearm at a parade or demonstration is the reckless or criminally negligent discharge of a firearm within one thousand feet of any parade, demonstration, or gathering for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.
For the purposes of this Section:
1. "Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, excluding black powder weapons, or assault rifle which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
2. "Parade" for the purposes of this Section shall be defined as any celebration of Mardi Gras or directly related pre-Lenten or carnival-related festivities, school parades, parish parades, state parades, or municipal parades, or any demonstration or gathering for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.
3. "Reckless or criminally negligent" means that although neither specific nor general criminal intent is present, there is such disregard of the interest of others that the offender's conduct amounts to a gross deviation below the standard of care expected to be maintained by a reasonably careful man under like circumstances.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. A federal, state, or local law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties.
2. The possession of a firearm occurring within one thousand feet of a public gathering entirely within a private residence or in accordance with a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1.
3. The possession or discharge of a firearm by a person who holds a valid certificate as a living historian in the use, storage, and handling of black powder issued by the Louisiana office of state parks for the purpose of historic reenactments if the firearm is a black powder weapon which is an antique firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(16), or an antique device exempted from the term "destructive device" in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(4).
4. The discharge of a firearm by a person engaged in any lawful hunting or sport shooting activity on public or private property.
Whoever commits the crime of reckless or negligent discharge of a firearm at a parade or demonstration shall be sentenced to imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five nor more than fifteen years, at least three years of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence and shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the discharge of any firearm which has been authorized as part of the parade itself.

Acts 2009, No. 150, §1; Acts 2012, No. 382, §1.

1. It is unlawful for any person to possess body armor who has been convicted of any of the following:
  1. A crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) which is a felony.
  2. Simple burglary, burglary of a pharmacy, or burglary of an inhabited dwelling.
  3. Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
  4. Felony illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities.
  5. Manufacture or possession of a delayed action incendiary device.
  6. Manufacture or possession of a bomb.
  7. Any violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.
  8. Any crime defined as an attempt to commit one of the offenses enumerated in Subparagraphs (a) through (g) of this Paragraph.
  9. Any law of any other state or of the United States or of any foreign government or country of a crime which, if committed in this state, would be one of the crimes enumerated in Subparagraphs (a) through (h) of this Paragraph.
2. The prohibition in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to any person who is participating in a witness protection program.
No person shall use or wear body armor while committing any of the crimes enumerated in Subparagraphs (A)(1)(a) through (i) of this Section.
Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years, or both.
For the purposes of this Section, "body armor" shall mean bullet resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 286, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1140, §1.

Any person entering an alcoholic beverage outlet as defined herein, by the fact of such entering, shall be deemed to have consented to a reasonable search of his person for any firearm by a law enforcement officer or other person vested with police power, without the necessity of a warrant.
For purposes of this Section, "alcoholic beverage outlet" means any commercial establishment in which alcoholic beverages of either high or low alcoholic content are sold in individual servings for consumption on the premises, whether or not such sales are the primary purpose or are an incidental purpose of the business of the establishment.
An "alcoholic beverage outlet" licensed to sell firearms or containing an indoor shooting gallery shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section in those areas designated for the sale of firearms or the shooting gallery.
An "alcoholic beverage outlet" shall not include a restaurant if a majority of its gross receipts are from sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
The owner of the alcoholic beverage outlet shall post a sign, at or near the entrance, that states that by the fact of entering these premises a person shall be deemed to have consented to a reasonable search of his person for any firearm by a law enforcement officer or other person vested with police power, without the necessity of a warrant.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 524, §1.

No person shall intentionally possess a firearm while on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet.
"Alcoholic beverage outlet" as used herein means any commercial establishment in which alcoholic beverages of either high or low alcoholic content are sold in individual servings for consumption on the premises, whether or not such sales are a primary or incidental purpose of the business of the establishment.
1. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the owner or lessee of an alcoholic beverage outlet, an employee of such owner or lessee, or to a law enforcement officer or other person vested with law enforcement authority or listed in R.S. 14:95(G) or (H).
2. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a person possessing a firearm in accordance with a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1 or 1379.3 on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet which has been issued a Cl ass A-Restaurant permit, as defined in Part II of Chapter 1 or Part II of Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the L ouisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
3. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to limit the ability of a sheriff or chief law enforcement officer to establish policies within his department or office regarding the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet by any law enforcement officer under his authority.
Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

Acts 1985, No. 765, §1; Acts 2014, No. 147, §1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

A "firearm-free zone" is an area inclusive of any school campus and within one thousand feet of any such school campus, and within a school bus, wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in Subsection B of this Section and R.S. 14:95.2(C).
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. A federal, state, or local law enforcement building.
2. A military base.
3. A commercial establishment which is permitted by law to have firearms or armed security.
4. Private premises where a firearm is kept pursuant to law.
5. Any constitutionally protected activity within the firearm-free zone, such as a firearm contained entirely within a motor vehicle.
For purposes of this Section:
1. "School" means any public or private elementary, secondary, high school, or vocational-technical school, college, or university in this state.
2. "School campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property.
3. "School bus" means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
The local governing authority which has jurisdiction over zoning matters in which each firearm-free zone is located shall publish a map clearly indicating the boundaries of each firearm-free zone in accordance with the specifications in Subsection A. The firearm-free zone map shall be made an official public document and placed with the clerk of court for the parish or parishes in which the firearm-free zone is located.
1. The state superintendent of education, with the approval of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the commissioner of higher education, with the approval of the Board of Regents, shall develop a method by which to mark firearm-free zones, including the use of signs or other markings suitable to the situation. Signs or other markings shall be located in a visible manner on or near each school and on and in each school bus indicating that such area is a firearm-free zone and that such zone extends to one thousand feet from the boundary of school property. The state Department of Education shall assist each approved school with the posting of notice as required in this Subsection.
2. Signs or other markings, in addition to the method developed pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, shall provide notice that armed law enforcement officers are permitted within the firearm-free zone by including in the signs or other markings the language "Law Enforcement Weapons Permitted" or language substantially similar thereto.
1. It is unlawful for any person to cover, remove, deface, alter, or destroy any sign or other marking identifying a firearm-free zone as provided in this Section.
2. Whoever violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

Acts 1992, No. 197, §1; Acts 1993, No. 844, §1; Acts 1993, No. 1031, §1; Acts 2016 No. 337. § 1

No person shall intentionally receive, possess, carry, conceal, buy, sell, or transport any firearm from which the serial number or mark of identification has been obliterated.
This Section shall not apply to any firearm which is an antique or war relic and is inoperable or for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade, or which was originally manufactured without such a number.
Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned as follows:
1. For a first offense, the penalty shall be imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years.
2. For a second or subsequent offense, the penalty shall be imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not less than two years nor more than ten years.

Acts 1993, No. 85, §1; Acts 2012, No. 478, §1.

It is unlawful for any person who has not attained the age of seventeen years knowingly to possess any handgun on his person. Any person possessing any handgun in violation of this Section commits the offense of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.
1. On a first conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars and imprisoned for not less than ninety days and not more than six months.
2. On a second conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars and imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years.
3. On a third or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five years.
4. A juvenile adjudicated delinquent under this Section, having been previously found guilty or adjudicated delinquent for any crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B), or attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense, shall upon a first or subsequent conviction be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than six months and not more than five years. At least ninety days shall be served without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any person under the age of seventeen years who is:
1. Attending a hunter's safety course or a firearms safety course.
2. Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range.
3. Hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license issued to him pursuant to the laws of this state.
4. Traveling to or from any activity described in Paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this Subsection while in possession of an unloaded gun.
5. On real property with the permission of his parent or legal guardian and with the permission of the owner or lessee of the property.
6. At such person's residence and who, with the permission of such person's parent or legal guardian, possesses a handgun.
7. Possessing a handgun with the written permission of such person's parent or legal guardian; provided that such person carries on his person a copy of such written permission.
For the purposes of this Section "handgun" means a firearm as defined in R.S. 14:37.2, provided however, that the barrel length shall not exceed twelve inches.

Acts 1999, No. 1218, §1.

Wearing or possessing body armor, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school-sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful and shall be defined as wearing or possessing of body armor, on one's person, at any time while on a school campus, on school transportation, or at any school-sponsored function in a specific designated area including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities, or within one thousand feet of any school campus.
For purposes of this Section, the following words have the following meanings:
1. "Body armor" shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.
2. "Campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property.
3. "Nonstudent" means any person not registered and enrolled in that school or a suspended student who does not have permission to be on the school campus.
4. "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, or university in this state.
5. "School bus" means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. A federal, state, or local law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties.
2. A school official or employee acting during the normal course of his employment or a student acting under the direction of such school official or employee.
3. A person who has notified the school principal or chancellor in writing at least twenty-four hours prior to wearing body armor.
4. The wearing or possessing of body armor occurring within one thousand feet of school property and entirely on private property, or entirely within a private residence, or in accordance with a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1.
5. Any constitutionally protected activity which cannot be regulated by the state, such as body armor contained entirely within a motor vehicle.
6. Any student wearing or possessing body armor to or from a class, in which he is duly enrolled, that requires the use of the body armor in the class.
7. A student enrolled or participating in an activity requiring the use of body armor.
8. A student wearing, carrying, or possessing a backpack on school property or a school bus that has bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.
Whoever commits the crime of wearing or possessing body armor by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school-sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned, without hard labor, for not less than six months nor more than one year, or both.
Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of school property shall not be a defense.
1. School officials shall notify all students and parents of the impact of this legislation and shall post notices of the impact of this Section at each major point of entry to the school. These notices shall be maintained as permanent notices.
2. If a student is detained by the principal or other school official for violation of this Section or the school principal or other school official confiscates or seizes body armor from a student while upon school property, at a school function, or on a school bus, the principal or other school official in charge at the time of the detention or seizure shall immediately report the detention or seizure to the police department or sheriff's department where the school is located and shall deliver any body armor seized to that agency.
3. If a student is detained pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection for wearing or possessing body armor on campus, the principal shall immediately notify the student's parents.
Any principal or school official in charge who fails to report the detention of a student or the seizure of body armor to a law enforcement agency as required by Paragraph (F)(2) of this Section within seventy-two hours of notice of the detention or seizure may be issued a misdemeanor summons for a violation of this Section and may be fined not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to not more than forty hours of community service, or both. Upon successful completion of the community service or payment of the fine, or both, the arrest and conviction shall be set aside as provided for in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894(B).

Acts 2008, No. 747, §1. Amended 2018 Act 523

It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of any of the following offenses to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon:
1. Domestic abuse battery (R.S. 14:35.3).
2. A second or subsequent offense of battery of a dating partner (R.S. 14:34.9).
3. Battery of a dating partner when the offense involves strangulation (R.S. 14:34.9(K)).
4. Battery of a dating partner when the offense involves burning (R.S. 14:34.9(L)).
Whoever is found guilty of violating the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than one year nor more than twenty years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, and shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.
A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of domestic abuse battery or battery of a dating partner for purposes of this Section unless the person was represented by counsel in the case, or knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel in the case; and in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this Section for which a person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either the case was tried by a jury, or the person knowingly and intelligently waived the right to have the case tried by a jury, by guilty plea or otherwise. A person shall not be considered convicted of R.S. 14:34.9 or 35.3 for the purposes of this Section if the conviction has been expunged, set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or had civil rights restored unless the pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, possess, or receive firearms.
For the provisions of this Section, "firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
The provisions of this Section prohibiting the possession of firearms and carrying concealed weapons by persons who have been convicted of the offenses set forth in Subsection A of this Section shall not apply to any person who has not been convicted of any of the offenses set forth in Subsection A of this Section for a period of ten years from the date of completion of sentence, probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

Acts 2014, No. 195, §1; Acts 2017, No. 84, §1; Acts 2018, No. 367, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018.

During times of great public crisis, disaster, rioting, catastrophe, or similar public emergency within the territorial limits of any municipality or parish, or in the event of reasonable apprehension of immediate danger thereof, and upon a finding that the public safety is imperiled thereby, the chief executive officer of any political subdivision or the district judge, district attorney, or the sheriff of any parish of this state, or the public safety director of a municipality, may request the governor to proclaim a state of emergency within any part or all of the territorial limits of such local government. Following such proclamation by the governor, and during the continuance of such state of emergency, the chief law enforcement officer of the political subdivision affected by the proclamation may, in order to protect life and property and to bring the emergency situation under control, promulgate orders affecting any part or all of the territorial limits of the municipality or parish:
1. Establishing a curfew and prohibiting and/or controlling pedestrian and vehicular traffic, except essential emergency vehicles and personnel;
2. Designating specific zones within which the occupancy and use of buildings and the ingress and egress of vehicles and persons shall be prohibited or regulated;
3. Regulating and closing of places of amusement and assembly;
4. Prohibiting the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages;
5. Prohibiting and controlling the presence of persons on public streets and places;
6. Repealed by Acts 2020, No. 325, §3.
7. Regulating and controlling the possession, storage, display, sale, transport and use of explosives and flammable materials and liquids, including but not limited to the closing of all wholesale and retail establishments which sell or distribute gasoline and other flammable products;
8. Regulating and controlling the possession, storage, display, sale, transport and use of sound apparatus, including but not limited to public address systems, bull horns and megaphones.
9. Prohibiting the sale or offer for sale of goods or services within the designated emergency area for value exceeding the prices ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area at, or immediately before, the time of the state of emergency, unless the price of the seller is attributable to fluctuation in the applicable commodity markets, applicable regional or national market trends, or to reasonable expenses and a charge for any attendant business risk in addition to the cost of the goods and services which necessarily are incurred in procuring or selling the goods and services during the state of emergency.
Such orders shall be effective from the time and in the manner prescribed in such orders and shall be published as soon as practicable in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by such order and transmitted to the radio and television media for publication and broadcast. Such orders shall cease to be in effect five days after their promulgation or upon declaration by the governor that the state of emergency no longer exists, whichever occurs sooner; however, the chief law enforcement officer, with the consent of the governor, may extend the effect of such orders for successive periods of not more than five days each by republication of such orders in the manner hereinabove provided.
All orders promulgated pursuant to this Section shall be executed in triplicate and shall be filed with the clerk of court of the parish affected and with the secretary of state of this state.
During any period during which a state of emergency exists the proclaiming officer may appoint additional peace officers or firemen for temporary service, who need not be in the classified lists of such departments. Such additional persons shall be employed only for the time during which the emergency exists.
During the period of the existence of the state of emergency the chief law enforcement officer of the political subdivision may call upon the sheriff, mayor, or other chief executive officer of any other parish or municipality to furnish such law enforcement or fire protection personnel, or both, together with appropriate equipment and apparatus, as may be necessary to preserve the public peace and protect persons and property in the requesting area. Such aid shall be furnished to the chief law enforcement officer requesting it insofar as possible without withdrawing from the political subdivision furnishing such aid the minimum police and fire protection appearing necessary under the circumstances. In such cases when a state of emergency has been declared by the governor pursuant to R.S. 29:724 et seq., all first responders who are members of a state or local office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, including but not limited to medical personnel, emergency medical technicians, persons called to active duty service in the uniformed services of the United States, Louisiana National Guard, Louisiana Guard, Civil Air Patrol, law enforcement and fire protection personnel acting outside the territory of their regular employment shall be considered as performing services within the territory of their regular employment for purposes of compensation, pension, and other rights or benefits to which they may be entitled as incidents of their regular employment. Law enforcement officers acting pursuant to this Section outside the territory of their regular employment have the same authority to enforce the law as when acting within the territory of their own employment.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, except in an imminent life threatening situation nothing herein shall restrict any uniformed employee of a licensed private security company, acting within the scope of employment, from entering and remaining in an area where an emergency has been declared. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply if the licensed private security company submits a list of employees and their assignment to be allowed into the area, to the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, which shall forward the list to the chief law enforcement office of the parish and, if different, the agency in charge of the scene.
As used in this Section:
1. "Disaster" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S. 29:723.
2. "Emergency" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S. 29:723.
1. The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Nothing in this Section shall authorize the seizure or confiscation of any firearm or ammunition from any individual who is lawfully carrying or possessing the firearm or ammunition except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.
2. A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer's official duties may disarm an individual if the officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary for the protection of the officer or another individual. The peace officer shall return the firearm to the individual before discharging that individual unless the officer arrests that individual for engaging in criminal activity, or seizes the firearm as evidence pursuant to an investigation for the commission of a crime.
3. Firearms and ammunition manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, suppliers, and retailers and shooting ranges are essential businesses and operations for purposes of safety and security and shall not be prohibited or restricted from operating or conducting business during a declared emergency or disaster.

Acts 1969, No. 176, §7; Acts 1990, No. 152, §1, eff. July 1, 1990; Acts 1999, No. 267, §1; Acts 2003, No. 40, §1, eff. May 23, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 316, §1, eff. June 18, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 275, §1, eff. June 8, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 668, §1; Acts 2009, No. 494, §1; Acts 2020, No. 325, §§1, 3.

Each city, parish, and other local public school board may provide age- and grade-appropriate classroom instruction regarding firearm accident prevention and safety to elementary school students. Such instruction shall be integrated into an existing course of study, and the purpose of such instruction shall be to promote the protection and safety of children. Furthermore, such instruction shall adopt or be based on the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program, an accident prevention program developed by the National Rifle Association, or a substantially similar program, such as the Louisiana Law Enforcement for Gun Safety program, designed to promote firearm accident prevention and safety. Such instruction shall not include the expression of value judgments about the use of firearms by teachers, school personnel, or any other instructors. The school board shall determine the timing and duration of such instruction.

Acts 2015, No. 400, §1.

1. Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm or is ineligible to be issued a concealed handgun permit pursuant to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4) or of R.S. 40:1379.3(C)(13) because of an adjudication or commitment that occurred under the laws of this state may, upon release from involuntary commitment, file a civil petition seeking a judgment ordering the removal of that prohibition.
2. A person found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony may file a civil petition seeking a judgment ordering the removal of the prohibition described in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection provided that at least ten years have passed since the person was discharged from probation or custody, or discharged from a mental institution, by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The petition for restoration shall be filed in the form of a rule to show cause and shall be filed in the district in which the adjudication or order of commitment occurred.
The hearing on the petition shall be a contradictory proceeding with the attorney who represented the state in the original proceedings, or the attorney's successor, who shall represent the interests of the state and be served with a copy of the petition and citation to answer it not less than thirty days prior to the hearing.
The hearing shall be in chambers, unless the court determines that it is in the best interest of the public that the hearing be in open court.
At the hearing, the court shall consider evidence concerning all of the following:
1. The circumstances which prohibit the person from possessing a firearm or which render the person ineligible to receive a concealed handgun permit.
2. The petitioner's mental health and criminal history records, if any.
3. The petitioner's reputation, developed at a minimum through character witness statements, testimony, or other character evidence.
4. Changes in the petitioner's condition or circumstances since the original adjudication or commitment relevant to the relief sought. If the court determines the hearing should be open to the public, upon motion by the petitioner for restoration, the court may allow for in camera inspection of any mental health records.
The court shall render such judgment as the nature of the relief and the law and evidence shall justify. The court shall grant the relief requested if it finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the petitioner's record and reputation are such that he will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the relief requested would not be contrary to the public interest. A record of the proceedings shall be kept.
In the event of a closed hearing, the record of the proceedings shall remain under seal and be disclosed only to an appellate court or the parties. The district court order may be reviewed on appeal to the court of appeal under a de novo standard of review. The appellate court shall maintain the confidentiality of the records.
The petitioner for restoration in all cases shall pay the costs of the proceedings.
After a judgment granting restoration of rights pursuant to the provisions of this Section has become final and definitive, the clerk of court in the district where the judgment was rendered shall, as soon as is practicable, but in no case later than ten business days after receipt of the final and definitive judgment, forward a copy of the judgment to the Louisiana Supreme Court. The Louisiana Supreme Court shall, within fifteen business days after receipt of the judgment, revise the person's record in any information database that the Louisiana Supreme Court makes available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and shall notify the United States Attorney General for the purpose of reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System that the basis for the prohibitions imposed by 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4) no longer applies.
This provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. A person on conditional release or conditional discharge pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 657.1 or 658.
2. A person who has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony enumerated in R.S. 14:95.1 in the ten years prior to the filing of a petition under this Section.

Acts 2013, No. 403, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2013, No. 404, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2014. Amended 2018 Act 532

The governor is responsible for meeting the dangers to the state and people presented by emergencies or disasters, and in order to effectuate the provisions of this Chapter, the governor may issue executive orders, proclamations, and regulations and amend or rescind them. Executive orders, proclamations, and regulations so issued shall have the force and effect of law.
1. A disaster or emergency, or both, shall be declared by executive order or proclamation of the governor if he finds that a disaster or emergency has occurred or the threat thereof is imminent. The state of disaster or emergency shall continue until the governor finds that the threat of danger has passed or the disaster or emergency has been dealt with to the extent that the emergency conditions no longer exist and terminates the state of disaster or emergency by executive order or proclamation, but no state of disaster or emergency may continue for longer than thirty days unless renewed by the governor.
2. The legislature, by petition signed by a majority of the surviving members of either house, may terminate a state of disaster or emergency at any time. This petition terminating the state of emergency or disaster may establish a period during which no other declaration of emergency or disaster may be issued. Thereupon, the governor shall issue an executive order or proclamation ending the state of disaster or emergency.
3. All executive orders or proclamations issued under this Subsection shall indicate the nature of the disaster or emergency, the designated emergency area which is or may be affected, and the conditions which have brought it about or which make possible the termination of the state of disaster or emergency. An executive order or proclamation shall be disseminated promptly by means calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public and, unless the circumstances attendant upon the disaster or emergency prevent or impede it, promptly filed with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and with the secretary of state.
4. As soon as conditions allow, the governor may proclaim a reduction of the designated emergency area, or the termination of the state of emergency.
The declaration of an emergency or disaster by the governor shall:
1. Activate the state's emergency response and recovery program under the command of the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
2. Direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened area within the state if he deems this action necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery.
3. Control ingress and egress to and from a disaster area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein.
In addition to any other powers conferred upon the governor by law, he may do any or all of the following:
1. Suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency.
2. Utilize all available resources of the state government and of each political subdivision of the state as reasonably necessary to cope with the disaster or emergency.
3. Transfer the direction, personnel, or functions of state departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating emergency services.
4. Subject to any applicable requirements for compensation, commandeer or utilize any private property if he finds this necessary to cope with the disaster or emergency. For purposes of this Paragraph, private property does not include firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms or ammunition.
5. Prescribe routes, modes of transportation, and destination in connection with evacuation.
6. Suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, explosives, and combustibles, excluding those components of firearm ammunition.
7. Make provision for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing.
In the event of an emergency declared by the governor pursuant to this Chapter, any person or representative of any firm, partnership, or corporation violating any order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to this Chapter, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or confined in the parish jail for not more than six months, or both. No executive order, proclamation, or regulation shall create or define a crime or fix penalties.
No organization for homeland security and emergency preparedness established under this Chapter shall be employed directly or indirectly for political purposes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, except in an imminent life threatening situation nothing herein shall restrict any uniformed employee of a licensed private security company, acting within the scope of employment, from entering and remaining in an area where an emergency has been declared. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply if the licensed private security company submits a list of employees and their assignment to be allowed into the area, to the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, which shall forward the list to the chief law enforcement office of the parish and, if different, the agency in charge of the scene.

Acts 1993, No. 800, §1, eff. June 22, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 267, §2; Acts 2003, No. 40, §2, eff. May 23, 2003; Acts 2006, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 35, §1, eff. March 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 442, §3, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 512, §1. Acts 2020 No. 325 § 2

Each political subdivision within this state shall be within the jurisdiction of and served by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for purposes of homeland security and emergency preparedness and by a parish homeland security and emergency preparedness agency responsible for emergency or disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Each parish president is hereby authorized and directed to establish an office of homeland security and emergency preparedness for the respective parish.
Each parish president shall maintain a homeland security and emergency preparedness agency which, except as otherwise provided under this Chapter, has jurisdiction over and serves the entire parish.
A local disaster or emergency may be declared only by the parish president, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter. In that event, the state of emergency shall continue until the parish president finds that the threat of danger has been dealt with to the extent that emergency conditions no longer exist. The state of emergency may be terminated by executive order or proclamation. The state of emergency or disaster may be terminated by the governor, a petition signed by a majority of the surviving members of either house of the legislature, or a majority of the surviving members of the parish governing authority. The document terminating the state of emergency or disaster may establish a period during which no other declaration of emergency or disaster may be issued. All executive orders or proclamations issued under this Subsection shall indicate the nature of the emergency, the area or areas which are or may be affected, and the conditions which brought it about. Any order or proclamation declaring, continuing, or terminating a local disaster or emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the office of emergency preparedness and the office of the clerk of court.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, when the parish president declares a local disaster or emergency within such subdivision the parish president shall carry out the provisions of this Chapter. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to confer upon the parish president any authority to control or direct the activities of any state agency. When the disaster or emergency is beyond the capabilities of the local government, the parish president shall request assistance from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. The declaration of a local emergency will serve to activate the response and recovery program of the local government.
In addition to any other powers conferred upon the parish president by the constitution, laws, or by a home rule charter or plan of government, such authority may do any or all of the following:
1. Suspend the provisions of any regulatory ordinance prescribing the procedures for conduct of local business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any local agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency.
2. Utilize all available resources of the local government as reasonably necessary to cope with the local disaster or emergency.
3. Transfer the direction, personnel, or functions of local departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating emergency services.
4. Subject to any applicable requirements for compensation, commandeer or utilize any private property if he finds this necessary to cope with the local disaster. For purposes of this Paragraph, private property does not include firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms or ammunition.
5. Direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened area within the boundaries of the parish if he deems this action necessary for mitigation, response, or recovery measures.
6. Prescribe routes, modes of transportation, and destinations in connection with evacuation within the local government's jurisdiction.
7. Control ingress and egress to and from the affected area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein.
8. Suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, explosives, and combustibles, excluding those components of firearm ammunition.
In the event of an emergency declared by the parish president pursuant to this Chapter, any person or representative of any firm, partnership, or corporation violating any order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to this Chapter, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or confined in the parish jail for not more than six months, or both.
No organization for homeland security and emergency preparedness established under this Chapter shall be employed directly or indirectly for political purposes.
1. Each parish or police jury president, through the parish director of homeland security and emergency preparedness appointed pursuant to R.S. 29:728, shall form a parish emergency management advisory committee, to offer advice and counsel to the parish or police jury president on homeland security and emergency management issues set forth in the report prepared in accordance with Paragraph (4) of this Subsection. The parish or police jury president may consider the advice and counsel from the committee on such matters as planning, development, prioritization, coordination, and implementation of homeland security and emergency management issues to include but not be limited to homeland security and emergency management mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, grant requests, and the expenditure of grant funds.
2. The parish or police jury president shall serve as the chairperson of the committee or shall designate the parish director of homeland security and emergency preparedness to serve as the chairperson. If the parish or police jury president serves as the chairperson, the parish director of homeland security and emergency preparedness shall serve as vice chairperson of the committee.
3. 1. At a minimum, the committee shall consist of the following for each parish:
    1. A fire chief from the parish as a representative of all the fire chiefs in the parish.
    2. A chief executive officer from one of the municipalities of the parish, as a representative of all chief executive officers of the municipalities of the parish.
    3. A police chief from the parish as a representative of all the police chiefs of the parish.
    4. The sheriff of the parish or his designee.
    5. A senior executive from the emergency medical services community within the parish.
  2. The representatives of the fire chiefs, municipal chief executive officers, police chiefs, and emergency medical services shall be appointed to the committee by those persons holding the same position within the parish.
4. The committee shall meet no less than twice per year and shall submit a report to the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness on or before April first of each year, commencing on April 1, 2010. The annual report shall address those issues identified by the director in consultation with the regional parish office of emergency preparedness parish directors' subcommittee pursuant to R.S. 29:725.6(B)(6)(c) by January first of each year.
5. The requirement of the parish or police jury president to form a parish emergency advisory committee may be satisfied through any existing committee formed within the parish for the purpose of addressing the issues of homeland security and emergency preparedness provided that such existing committee meets the membership requirement set forth in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection.
6. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair the rights and responsibilities of a parish or police jury president to respond to an emergency.
7. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair the rights and responsibilities of a committee created by a parish police jury and other local agencies and municipalities pursuant to a joint services agreement to develop and implement a plan in response to an emergency.

Acts 1993, No. 800, §1, eff. June 22, 1993; Acts 2001, No. 1148, §1, eff. June 29, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 40, §2, eff. May 23, 2003; Acts 2006, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 35, §§1, 8, eff. March 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 442, §3, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 524, §1; Acts 2018, No. 713, §1; Acts 2020, No. 325, §2.

When in the judgment of the parish president it is deemed necessary, during a disaster or state of emergency, he may issue an evacuation order for all or part of the parish.
When in the judgment of the governor, it is deemed necessary during a disaster or state of emergency, he may order a forced evacuation order for one or more parishes or parts thereof if a forced evacuation is not issued by the parish president.
1. A voluntary evacuation order may be issued when the threat to lives is not yet imminent but conditions exist or such circumstances may exist in the near future.
2. Residents are advised to leave the area and relocate to safer locations for their own safety. Personal discretion is allowed, but remaining is not advised. Those with special evacuation needs or those with special transportation needs are particularly encouraged to leave as soon as possible after the order for the voluntary evacuation or advisory evacuation is issued.
3. Business owners are advised to take whatever precautions they deem necessary for protecting equipment or inventory and are strongly urged to suspend normal business operations and to release nonessential employees to evacuate or prepare for issuance of mandatory evacuation orders. All private sector employees shall be deemed nonessential unless designated as essential workforce.
1. A mandatory evacuation order may be issued when danger is imminent and conditions exist that seriously imperil or endanger the lives of those in a defined area.
2. A person who refuses to comply with a mandatory evacuation order may remain in his home and not be forcibly removed from his home; however, all public services are suspended during a mandatory evacuation, and anyone failing to comply with a mandatory evacuation order may not be rescued or provided other lifesaving assistance. During a hurricane, a person failing to comply with evacuation orders may not be rescued or provided other lifesaving assistance after the onset of and during tropical storm winds or higher at the Louisiana coast.
3. Exceptions to a mandatory evacuation are essential workforce or critical workforce. Any nonessential person found traveling through the area will be subject to arrest or escorted out of and not permitted to reenter the area.
1. When a mandatory or forced evacuation is ordered, it shall be lifted, in whole or in part, only at such time as public services are available in the area and that area is opened for reentry as determined by the parish homeland security and emergency preparedness agency.
2. Once out of the evacuation area, no unauthorized person, including residents, shall be permitted to return until conditions permit and the evacuation order is lifted, and the area opened for reentry, as determined by the parish homeland security and emergency preparedness agency.
3. An unauthorized person found to be on the property of another or on a public street, place, or other public property shall be subject to arrest or forcible removal from the evacuation area.
During a declared disaster or state of emergency, the parish president may in the proclamation for evacuation or a separate proclamation impose a curfew prohibiting anyone who is not designated as essential workforce or critical workforce to be on a public street or place. The curfew may be for the entire parish or for certain areas of the parish, and the curfew may be for an unlimited period of time or may be for certain periods of time during each twenty-four-hour period. The proclamation shall specify the geographical area or areas and the period during each twenty-four-hour period to which the curfew applies. The proclamation imposing a curfew may regulate and close places of amusement and assembly and prohibit the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.
During a mandatory or forced evacuation, a twenty-four hour per day curfew shall automatically be imposed in the evacuation area prohibiting the presence on a public street or in a public place of anyone who is not designated as essential workforce or critical workforce until such curfew is lifted or amended by the parish homeland security and emergency preparedness agency.
Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the parish president from establishing a curfew or promulgating orders and regulations pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 14:329.6.

Acts 2008, No. 214, §1, eff. June 16, 2008; Acts 2020, No. 325, §2.

Hunting or the discharge of firearms on public roads or highways located in this state is hereby prohibited except by law enforcement officers when in the performance of their duties.

Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days or both.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 503, §1.

Except as provided in Subsection D of this Section, a person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or store such firearm in a locked, privately-owned motor vehicle in any parking lot, parking garage, or other designated parking area.
No property owner, tenant, public or private employer, or business entity or their agent or employee shall be liable in any civil action for damages resulting from or arising out of an occurrence involving a firearm transported or stored pursuant to this Section, other than for a violation of Subsection C of this Section.
No property owner, tenant, public or private employer, or business entity shall prohibit any person from transporting or storing a firearm pursuant to Subsection A of this Section. However, nothing in this Section shall prohibit an employer or business entity from adopting policies specifying that firearms stored in locked, privately-owned motor vehicles on property controlled by an employer or business entity be hidden from plain view or within a locked case or container within the vehicle.
This Section shall not apply to:
1. Any property where the possession of firearms is prohibited under state or federal law.
2. Any vehicle owned or leased by a public or private employer or business entity and used by an employee in the course of his employment, except for those employees who are required to transport or store a firearm in the official discharge of their duties.
3. Any vehicle on property controlled by a public or private employer or business entity if access is restricted or limited through the use of a fence, gate, security station, signage, or other means of restricting or limiting general public access onto the parking area, and if one of the following conditions applies:
  1. The employer or business entity provides facilities for the temporary storage of unloaded firearms.
  2. The employer or business entity provides an alternative parking area reasonably close to the main parking area in which employees and other persons may transport or store firearms in locked, privately-owned motor vehicles.

Acts 2008, No. 684, §1.

It is not the purpose of this Section to discourage private ownership of firearms by law abiding citizens, but rather to provide an avenue by which citizens may safely dispose of firearms they no longer desire to own.
Any municipality or parish may institute a firearms buyback program. Funding for the buyback program shall be acquired from cash donations from private businesses and may include funds from the assets seizures and forfeitures of any participating law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction of the municipality or parish, and no other public funds shall be used to implement the program. The firearms buyback program shall exist for not more than a thirty-day period in any calendar year or shall exist until the funds acquired or received for the purchase of the firearms are exhausted.
The municipality or parish shall promulgate rules of procedure governing the acquisition and disposal of firearms purchased through the program. Such weapons shall either be destroyed or delivered to law enforcement agencies of the municipality or parish for departmental use. Departmental use may include the sale of the firearms at a public auction. The proceeds of the sales shall be used to defray the costs of administering the auction, and any surplus funds shall be deposited into the training fund of the law enforcement agency conducting the sale or may be used by that agency to purchase law enforcement equipment. Any firearm sales authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall comply with all state and federal firearms laws. In no case shall such weapon be given to any individual, except that a stolen weapon shall be returned to its rightful owner on proof of ownership.

Acts 1992, No. 600, §1; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 20, §1; Acts 2014, No. 407, §1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

The superintendent of state police shall be authorized to issue at his discretion a special officer's commission from the division of state police. Any person who receives a special officer's commission must display need for statewide police power and power to arrest, be bonded, and adhere to all restrictive stipulations as set forth in the special officer's commission.
The special officer, when performing those tasks requiring a special officer's commission, shall have the same powers and duties as a peace officer; provided, however, that when not performing these tasks directly related to the special officer's commission, he shall be regarded as a private citizen and his commission shall not be in effect.
The superintendent of state police shall determine who is entitled to receive a special officer's commission and may promulgate and adopt regulations providing with respect to the issuance and use of said permits.
The superintendent of state police shall have the authority to revoke any special officer's commission for cause, and is further empowered to require those holding special officer's commissions to furnish proof of their being bonded and such other information as may be deemed necessary for determining suitability for holding a special officer's commission.
All special officer or agent commissions previously issued by the department of public safety are rescinded upon the effective date of this Section.
During a declared state of emergency or disaster by the governor, the deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Public Safety Services, office of state police may issue a special officer’s commission to a commissioned law enforcement officer who responds to a request for assistance pursuant to the Southern Regional Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Management Assistance Compact, as found in R.S. 29:751 and is determined by the deputy secretary to need statewide police power and power to arrest. Any person who receives a special officer’s commission under this Subsection shall not be required to be bonded and shall adhere to all restrictive stipulations as set forth in the special officer’s commission and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to Subsection C of this Section. Such person shall have the powers and duties of a peace officer, provided, that when he is not performing tasks directly related to the special officer's commission, he shall be regarded as a private citizen and his commission shall not be in effect.
Repealed by Acts 2013, No. 402, §3.
The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety shall have the authority to grant to an individual a concealed handgun permit from the office of state police. Before the individual applies to the deputy secretary for a permit, he must have been granted a concealed handgun permit by the chief law enforcement officer of the parish in which he is officially domiciled. Any individual who receives a concealed handgun permit from the office of state police must be bonded in the amount of five thousand dollars and must adhere to all restrictive stipulations as provided in the concealed handgun permit. Further, the deputy secretary shall have the authority to promulgate and adopt regulations providing with respect to the issuance and use of said permit.
The superintendent of state police or the chief law enforcement officer of a parish shall have the authority to revoke any concealed handgun permit, and is further empowered to require those holding handgun permits to furnish proof of their being bonded, and such other information as may be deemed necessary for determining suitability for holding a concealed handgun permit.
Special officer commissions shall be valid only for a period of one year from the date of their issuance. However, special officer commissions issued to employees of the department shall be valid until revoked by the superintendent. Special officer commissions issued to judges shall be valid for the length of their term of office.
For the purposes of this Section, "handgun" is defined as meaning any pistol or revolver originally designed to be fired by the use of a single hand and which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition.
No provision of this Section or of any regulation of the superintendent of state police shall be construed to require persons holding bona fide law enforcement officer commissions to possess a handgun permit.
Anyone in possession of a concealed handgun permit issued by the superintendent who uses a handgun in a task not directly related to the stipulations set forth in the permit shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A, B, C, and D of this Section, the deputy secretary of public safety services shall issue a special officer's commission to the sergeant at arms or assistant sergeants at arms of the Senate or the House of Representatives when directed to do so by the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House of Representatives. The deputy secretary shall not determine eligibility for a special officer's commission under this Subsection, which determination shall be made solely by the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House of Representatives.
2. Commissions under this Subsection shall not exceed the term of the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House of Representatives, according to the length of the remaining term of the respective party.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 412, §1. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 663, §1; Acts 1991, No. 562, §1; Acts 1992, No. 892, §1, eff. July 8, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 942, §1; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. April 19, 1996; Acts 1999, No. 1367, §1; Acts 2006, No. 317, §1, eff. June 13, 2006; Acts 2013, No. 402, §3.

1. The sheriff of a parish shall have the authority to issue a concealed handgun permit to any person. The permit shall be valid only within the boundaries of the parish in which the sheriff has jurisdiction, unless the sheriff has entered into a reciprocity agreement as provided for in Subsection B of this Section.
2. Upon application, the sheriff 's office shall perform a standard criminal record check. The officer who performed the standard criminal record check shall not be liable for acts committed by the permittee, unless the officer had actual personal knowledge at the time he issued the permit that the permittee was mentally unstable or disqualified by law from possessing a firearm.
1. A sheriff may enter into a reciprocity agreement with any sheriff of a contiguous parish that shall authorize both sheriffs to issue concealed handgun permits to persons meeting the criteria provided for in Subsection C of this Section. Those permits issued pursuant to this Subsection shall be valid within the boundaries of the participating contiguous parishes. The agreement shall specify the terms of use regarding the issuance of the concealed handgun permits and any other restrictions deemed appropriate by the sheriffs.
2. If a sheriff enters into a reciprocity agreement with any sheriff in a contiguous parish, no concealed handgun permits shall be issued to any person pursuant to Subsection A of this Section.
3. Any concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Subsection shall be null, void, and of no effect if the permittee does not meet the criteria provided for in Subsection C of this Section.
To qualify for a concealed handgun permit issued by a sheriff who has entered into a reciprocity agreement with a sheriff of a contiguous parish, the applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:
1. Make sworn application to the sheriff in the same manner provided for in R.S. 40:1379.3(C)(1) in which a concealed weapons permit application is made to the secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
2. Meet the same qualifications for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3(C).
3. Demonstrate competence with a handgun in the same manner provided for in R.S. 40:1379.3(D) in which a concealed weapons permit application is made to the secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
1. Any information in an application for a concealed handgun permit or any information provided in connection with the application submitted to the sheriff's office pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be held confidential and shall not be subject to any public records request nor shall the information be considered as a public record pursuant to R.S. 44:1 et seq. The sheriff shall not be required to release any list of persons who applied for or received a permit for a concealed handgun pursuant to this Section; however, nothing in this Section shall limit or impede the exchange of information between law enforcement agencies, prohibit the sheriff from releasing information necessary to perform a background investigation, provide statistical information that does not identify individual applicants or permittees, or release information in response to an appropriate law enforcement function as determined by the issuing sheriff.
2. Absent a valid court order requiring the release of information, or unless an applicant or a recipient of a concealed handgun permit is charged with a felony offense involving the use of a handgun, it shall be unlawful for any employee of the sheriff's office to intentionally release or disseminate for publication any information contained in an application for a concealed handgun permit or any information regarding the identity of any person who applied for or received a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Section. A person who violates the provisions of this Paragraph shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
3. 1. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, it shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally release, disseminate, or make public in any manner any information contained in an application for a concealed handgun permit or any information regarding the identity of any person who applied for or received a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Section. Any person except as provided for in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, who violates the provisions of this Paragraph shall be fined ten thousand dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than six months.
  2. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to the release of information under any of the following circumstances:
    1. A valid court order requires the release of the information.
    2. The information released identifies a concealed handgun permit holder or applicant who is charged with a felony offense involving the use of a handgun.
    3. The information regarding a concealed handgun permit applicant or holder is released pursuant to the express approval for the release of such information by that permit applicant or holder.
    4. The information regarding a concealed handgun permit holder or applicant has been made public by that concealed handgun permit holder or applicant.
1. A sheriff who issues a concealed handgun permit pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this Section shall require an applicant to comply with the requirements of Subsection C of this Section and shall charge the fee in the amount set forth in R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2).
2. A sheriff who issues a concealed handgun permit pursuant to this Section shall revoke the permit if the permit holder violates any provision as provided for in R.S. 40:1379.3(F).
The provisions of this Section shall not invalidate any permit to carry a concealed handgun that was issued by a sheriff prior to August 1, 2013.

Acts 2013, No. 402, §1.

Notwithstanding any other provision of state law or any ordinance of any political subdivision and subject to the rules and regulations or policies of the agency or office from which the individual has retired, an individual who is retired from service as a qualified law enforcement officer and who was commissioned by the agency or office from which he retired and is carrying the identification required by his office as a retired law enforcement officer, may carry a concealed firearm anywhere in the state, including any place open to the public.
As used in this Section, the term "qualified retired law enforcement officer" means an individual who meets all of the following:
1. Separated from service in good standing from a law enforcement agency as a qualified law enforcement officer.
2. Before such separation, was an active, full-time employee of a state or municipal law enforcement agency or sheriff's office and is certified in the use of firearms by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
3. Was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest.
4. 1. Before such separation, served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of twelve years or more; or
  2. Separated from service with such agency after completing any applicable probat ionary period of such service due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency.
5. Qualifies annually in the use of firearms by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and has proof of such certification.
6. 1. Has not been officially found by a qualified medical professional employed by the agency to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental health and as a result of this finding will not be issued the photographic identification as described in Subsection C of this Section; or
  2. Has not entered into an agreement with the agency from which the individual separated from service in which that individual acknowledged he or she was not qualified under this Section for reasons relating to mental health and for those reasons did not receive or accept the photographic identification as described in Subsection C of this Section.
7. Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance.
8. Is not prohibited by federal law from receiving a firearm.
The identification required by this Section is the photographic identification credential issued by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that identifies the person as having been employed as a law enforcement officer.

Acts 2014, No. 603, §1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

Notwithstanding any other provision of state law or any ordinance of any political subdivision and subject to the rules and regulations or policies of the agency or office from which the individual has retired, an individual who is retired from service as a qualified law enforcement officer and who was commissioned by the agency or office from which he retired and is carrying the identification required by his office as a retired law enforcement officer, may carry a concealed firearm anywhere in the state, including any place open to the public.
As used in this Section, the term "qualified retired law enforcement officer" means an individual who meets all of the following:
1. Separated from service in good standing from a law enforcement agency as a qualified law enforcement officer. For purposes of this Section, an officer is in "good standing" unless the officer is the subject of an internal investigation for which the presumptive penalty, if the investigation is disposed of as "sustained", is termination.
2. Before such separation, was an active, full-time employee of a state or municipal law enforcement agency or sheriff's office and is certified in the use of firearms by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
3. Was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest.
4. 1. Before such separation, served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of twelve years or more; or
  2. Separated from service with such agency after completing any applicable probationary period of such service due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency.
5. Qualifies annually in the use of firearms by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and has proof of such certification.
6. 1. Has not been officially found by a qualified medical professional employed by the agency to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental or physical health and as a result of this finding will not be issued the photographic identification as described in Subsection C of this Section; or
  2. Has not entered into an agreement with the agency from which the individual separated from service in which that individual acknowledged he or she was not qualified under this Section for reasons relating to mental or physical health and for those reasons did not receive or accept the photographic identification as described in Subsection C of this Section.
7. Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance.
8. Is not prohibited by federal law from receiving a firearm.
The identification required by this Section is the photographic identification credential issued by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that identifies the person as having been employed as a law enforcement officer.
The sheriff or chief law enforcement officer shall issue identification required by the provisions of this Section to each individual who meets the qualifications set forth in Subsection B of this Section.

Acts 2014, No. 603, §1; Acts 2018, No. 507, §1.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall issue a concealed handgun permit to any Louisiana resident who qualifies for a permit under the provisions of this Section and may promulgate rules and adopt regulations regarding concealed handgun permits in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The permit shall contain a permit number, expiration date, photograph, and the name, address, and date of birth of the permittee.
2. Any information in any application for a concealed handgun permit or any information provided in connection with the application submitted to the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections under the provisions of this Section shall be held confidential and shall not be subject to any public records request nor shall the information be considered as a public record pursuant to R.S. 44:1 et seq. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall not release any list of persons who applied for or received a permit for a concealed handgun pursuant to this Section. However, nothing contained herein shall limit or impede the free flow of information between law enforcement agencies, prohibit the department from releasing information necessary to perform the background investigation, or provide statistical information which does not identify individual applicants or permittees.
3. 1. Absent a valid court order requiring the release of information, or unless an applicant or a recipient of a concealed handgun permit is charged with a felony offense involving the use of a handgun, it shall be unlawful for any employee of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or any law enforcement officer to intentionally release or disseminate for publication any information contained in an application for a concealed handgun permit or any information regarding the identity of any person who applied for or received a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Section. A person who violates the provisions of this Subparagraph shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
  2. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person other than an employee of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or a law enforcement officer to intentionally release, disseminate, or make public in any manner any information contained in an application for a concealed handgun permit or any information regarding the identity of any person who applied for or received a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Section. Any person who violates the provisions of this Subparagraph shall be fined ten thousand dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than six months.
    2. The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to the release of information under any of the following circumstances:
      1. aa. A valid court order requires the release of the information.
      2. bb. The information released identifies a concealed handgun permit holder or applicant who is charged with a felony offense involving the use of a handgun.
      3. cc. The information regarding a concealed handgun permit applicant or holder is released pursuant to the express approval for the release of such information by that permit applicant or holder.
      4. dd. The information regarding a concealed handgun permit holder or applicant has been made public by that concealed handgun permit holder or applicant.
1. A concealed handgun permit shall be issued only to a Louisiana resident who qualifies for a permit under the provisions of this Section. A concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall grant authority to a Louisiana resident to carry a concealed handgun on his person.
2. A Louisiana resident shall be required to possess a valid concealed handgun permit issued by the state of Louisiana pursuant to the provisions of this Section in order to carry a concealed handgun in the state of Louisiana.
To qualify for a concealed handgun permit, a Louisiana resident shall:
1. 1. Make sworn application to the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The providing of false or misleading information on the application or any documents submitted with the application shall be grounds for the denial or revocation of a concealed handgun permit. The application shall reflect training in pistols, revolvers, or both. Any permittee under this Section shall notify the department of any address or name change within thirty days of the change. Failure to timely notify the department of a name or address change may result in suspension of the permit for up to thirty days.
  2. In the case of an applicant who is not a United States citizen, the applicant shall provide any alien or admission number issued by the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and any basis, if applicable, for an exception to the prohibitions of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B)
2. Agree in writing to hold harmless and indemnify the department, the state, or any peace officer for any and all liability arising out of the issuance or use of the concealed handgun permit.
3. Be a resident of the state.
4. Be twenty-one years of age or older.
5. Not suffer from a mental or physical infirmity due to disease, illness, or intellectual disability which prevents the safe handling of a handgun.
6. Not be ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of having been convicted of a felony. A conviction for a felony offense which has been expunged prior to August 1, 2014, pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 44:9 or on or after August 1, 2014, pursuant to Title XXXIV of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall not be considered a conviction for the purposes of this Paragraph if ten years have elapsed since the completion of the resident's probation, parole, or suspended sentence. However, the provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to a conviction for a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) even if that conviction has been expunged. A conviction for which a person has been pardoned by the governor shall not be considered a conviction for purposes of this Paragraph, unless that pardon expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.
7. Not have been committed, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for the abuse of a controlled dangerous substance, as defined by R.S. 40:961 and 964, or been found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor under the laws of this state or similar laws of any other state relating to a controlled dangerous substance within a five-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted, or be presently charged under indictment or a bill of information for such an offense.
8. Not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that an applicant or permittee chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired if the applicant has been found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or has been admitted, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for treatment as an alcoholic, within the five-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted, or at any time after the application has been submitted.
9. Not have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2 at the misdemeanor level, unless five years have elapsed since completion of sentence or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled, or unless the conviction was set aside and the prosecution dismissed, prior to the date on which the application is submitted.
10. Not have been convicted of, have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or not be charged under indictment or a bill of information for any crime of violence or any crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of one year or greater. However, a person who has been convicted of a violation of 18 U.S.C. 491(a) shall be permitted to qualify for a concealed handgun permit if fifteen or more years has elapsed between the date of application and the successful completion or service of any sentence, deferred adjudication, or period of probation or parole. A conviction for a felony offense which has been expunged prior to August 1, 2014, pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 44:9 or on or after August 1, 2014, pursuant to Title XXXIV of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall not be considered a conviction for the purposes of this Paragraph if ten years have elapsed since the completion of the resident's probation, parole, or suspended sentence. However, the provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to a conviction for a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) even if that conviction has been expunged. A conviction for which a person has been pardoned by the governor shall not be considered a conviction for purposes of this Paragraph, unless that pardon expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.
11. Not be a fugitive from justice.
12. Not be an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, or narcotic drugs.
13. Not have been adjudicated to be mentally deficient or been committed to a mental institution, unless the resident's right to possess a firearm has been restored pursuant to R.S. 28:57.
14. Not be an illegal alien in the United States.
15. Not have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States with a discharge characterized as "Under Other than Honorable Conditions", a "Bad Conduct Discharge", or a "Dishonorable Discharge". In the case of Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers of the United States Armed Forces, the punishment of "Dismissal" rendered subject to a verdict of "guilty" at a trial by military court-martial is deemed to be disqualifying under this Paragraph. For the purposes of this Paragraph, the United States Coast Guard is considered an armed force.
16. Not have a history of engaging in violent behavior. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that an applicant has a history of engaging in violent behavior upon proof that, within a ten-year period immediately preceding the date of the application, the applicant has been arrested or charged on three or more occasions for any crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B), or has been arrested or charged on two or more occasions for any crime of violence that may be punished by death.
17. Not be ineligible to possess or receive a firearm under 18 USC 922(g).
18. Not have had a permit denied within one year prior to the most recent application.
19. Not have had a permit revoked within four years prior to the most recent application.
1. In addition to the requirements of Subsection C of this Section, an applicant shall demonstrate competence with a handgun by any one of the following:
  1. Completion of any National Rifle Association handguns safety or training course conducted by a National Rifle Association certified instructor within the preceding twelve months.
  2. Completion of any Department of Public Safety and Corrections approved firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school within the preceding twelve months.
  3. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class approved by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and offered for correctional officers, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement within the preceding twelve months.
  4. Possession of a current valid license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a parish law enforcement officer.
  5. Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class approved by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections within the preceding twelve months.
  6. Completion of a law enforcement training academy program certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training. However, any person retired from full-time service as a Louisiana peace officer need only demonstrate that he was properly certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training at the time of retirement.
  7. Completion of small arms training within the preceding sixty months while serving with the armed forces of the United States as evidenced by any of the following:
    1. For personnel released or retired from active duty, possession of an "Honorable Discharge" or "General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions" as evidenced by a Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214).
    2. For personnel on active duty or serving in one of the National Guard or reserve components of the Armed Forces, possession of certification of completion of basic training with service record evidence of having successfully completed small arms training and qualification.
  8. The National Rifle Association's personal protection course.
  9. For personnel released or retired from active duty or the National Guard or reserve components of the Armed Forces for more than sixty months, possession of proof indicating combat service and an "Honorable Discharge" or "General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions" as evidenced by a Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214) and completion of the following:
    1. A three-hour course of instruction on the use of deadly force and conflict resolution which shall include a review of R.S. 14:18 through 22 and which may include a review of any other laws relating to the use of deadly force within the preceding sixty months.
    2. A one-hour course of instruction on child access prevention within the preceding sixty months.
2. Instructors for any class, training, or course of instruction authorized by this Subsection, except for small arms training in military service as provided in Subparagraph (1)(g) of this Subsection, shall be certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training as a firearms instructor or by the National Rifle Association as an instructor for Basic Pistol Shooting, Personal Protection in the Home, or Personal Protection Outside the Home. Any safety or training course or class as described in this Subsection, except for basic handgun training in military service provided in Subparagraph (1)(g) of this Subsection, shall include instruction in child access prevention.
3. Any live range fire training required to demonstrate competency as authorized by the provisions of this Subsection may use live ammunition or fixed-case marking projectiles capable of being fired from a handgun.
1. A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes, or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught said course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the applicant, or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or class or confirms participation in firearms competition or honorable discharge shall constitute evidence of qualification pursuant to Subsection D of this Section.
2. It shall be illegal to intentionally present false, fraudulent, altered, or counterfeit documents to prove training in handguns in order to obtain a concealed handgun permit. Whoever intentionally presents false, fraudulent, altered, or counterfeit documents to prove training in handguns in order to obtain a concealed handgun permit shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. In addition, no person convicted of a violation of this Subsection shall be eligible to obtain a permit.
1. The deputy secretary shall revoke the permit if at any time during the permit period the permittee fails to satisfy any one of the qualification requirements provided for in Subsection C of this Section.
2. The deputy secretary shall revoke the permit for a violation of Subsection I of this Section or R.S. 40:1382.
Neither the state, the deputy secretary of public safety services, nor any applicable permitting process employee of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall be liable for acts committed by the permittee, unless the deputy secretary or applicable permitting process employee had actual knowledge at the time the permit was issued that the permittee was disqualified by law from carrying a concealed handgun.
1. The deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall, within two working days of the initial application, notify the chief of police of the municipality and the chief law enforcement officer of the parish in which the applicant is domiciled of such application. Those officers shall have ten days to forward to the deputy secretary any information relating to the applicant's legal qualification to receive a permit.
2. The deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall issue timely and without delay the concealed handgun permit to all qualified applicants, which permit shall be for a term of five years, at a cost of twenty-five dollars per year, and which shall be valid in all parishes statewide. The division may promulgate rules for the purpose of providing for permits and fees for fewer than five years to the applicants requesting a shorter time period. Fees may be reduced proportionately for terms of fewer than five years. The permit shall be retained by the permittee who shall immediately produce it upon the request of any law enforcement officer.
3. Anyone who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.
1. No individual to whom a concealed handgun permit is issued may carry and conceal such handgun while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance. While a permittee is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance, an otherwise lawful permit is considered automatically suspended and is not valid. A permittee shall be considered under the influence as evidenced by a blood alcohol reading of .05 percent or greater by weight of alcohol in the blood, or when a blood test or urine test shows any confirmed presence of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in R.S. 40:961 and 964.
2. A permittee armed with a handgun in accordance with this Section shall notify any police officer who approaches the permittee in an official manner or with an identified official purpose that he has a weapon on his person, submit to a pat down, and allow the officer to temporarily disarm him. Whenever a law enforcement officer is made aware that an individual is carrying a concealed handgun and the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is under the influence of either alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance, the law enforcement officer may take temporary possession of the handgun and request submission of the individual to a department certified chemical test for determination of the chemical status of the individual. Whenever a law enforcement officer is made aware that an individual is behaving in a criminally negligent manner as defined under the provisions of this Section, or is negligent in the carrying of a concealed handgun as provided for in R.S. 40:1382, the law enforcement officer may seize the handgun, until adjudication by a judge, if the individual is issued a summons or arrested under the provisions of R.S. 40:1382. Failure by the permittee to comply with the provisions of this Paragraph shall result in a six-month automatic suspension of the permit.
3. The permit to carry a concealed weapon shall be revoked by the deputy secretary when the permittee is carrying and concealing a handgun under any of the following circumstances:
  1. The blood alcohol reading of a permittee is .05 percent or greater by weight of alcohol in the blood.
  2. A permittee's blood test or urine test shows the confirmed presence of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in R.S. 40:961 and 964.
  3. A permittee refuses to submit to a department-certified chemical test when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.
  4. An individual is found guilty of negligent carrying of a concealed handgun as provided for in R.S. 40:1382.
4. The person tested may have a physician or a qualified technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other qualified person of his own choosing administer a chemical test or tests in addition to any administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer, and he shall be given the opportunity to telephone and request the qualified person to administer such test.
5. Whenever a peace officer determines that grounds under this Subsection exist for the revocation of a concealed handgun permit, he shall prepare an affidavit, on a form provided by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, indicating the reasons for the revocation and all other information regarding the revocation available to the officer. A copy of the peace officer's report relating to the incident shall be attached to the affidavit when submitted to the department.
For the purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:
1. "Handgun" means a type of firearm commonly referred to as a pistol or revolver originally designed to be fired by the use of a single hand and which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition. The term "handgun" shall not include shotguns or rifles that have been altered by having their stocks or barrels cut or shortened.
2. "Criminal negligence" means there exists such disregard of the interest of others that the license holder's conduct amounts to a gross deviation below the standard of care expected to be maintained by a reasonably careful man under like circumstances.
3. "Resident" means a person who is legally domiciled in Louisiana. An individual shall prove legal domicile by providing a copy of a valid Louisiana driver's license or an official Louisiana identification card. Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, a person who maintains a dwelling in this state but is residing elsewhere as a member of the United States military or as a student is still considered to be a resident for the purposes of this Section.
4. "Crime of violence" means a crime as defined in R.S. 14:2(B).
The department shall execute a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check, of every applicant for the purpose of verifying the qualifications of the applicant pursuant to the requirements of this Section. For purposes of this Subsection, a background check shall be defined as a computer check of available on-line state records, and, if warranted, the fingerprints may be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check. In addition, the department shall submit an inquiry on every applicant to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone who carries and conceals a handgun in violation of any provision of this Section, unless authorized to do so by another provision of the law, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
No concealed handgun permit shall be valid or entitle any permittee to carry a concealed weapon in any facility, building, location, zone, or area in which firearms are banned by state or federal law.
No concealed handgun may be carried into and no concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Section shall authorize or entitle a permittee to carry a concealed handgun in any of the following:
1. A law enforcement office, station, or building.
2. A detention facility, prison, or jail.
3. A courthouse or courtroom, provided that a judge may carry such a weapon in his own courtroom.
4. A polling place.
5. A municipal building or other public building or structure, only if the building or structure is utilized as themeeting place of the governing authority of a political subdivision.
6. The state capitol building.
7. Any portion of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under federal law, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, if the firearm is encased for shipment, for the purpose of checking such firearm as lawful baggage.
8. Any church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship, eligible for qualification as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. 501, unless authorized by the person who has authority over the administration of the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship.
9. A parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.
10. Any portion of the permitted area of an establishment that has been granted a Class A-General retail permit, as defined in Part II of Chapter 1 or Part II of Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
11. Any school, school campus, or school bus as defined in R.S. 14:95.6.
The provisions of Subsection N of this Section shall not limit the right of a property owner, lessee, or other lawful custodian to prohibit or restrict access of those persons possessing a concealed handgun pursuant to a permit issued under this Section. No individual to whom a concealed handgun permit is issued may carry such concealed handgun into the private residence of another without first receiving the consent of that person.
Within three months of April 19, 1996, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to provide an appeal process in the event that an applicant is denied issuance of a permit. The department may also promulgate educational requirements for renewal of concealed handgun permits.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to commissioned law enforcement officers.
1. Each permittee, within fifteen days of a misdemeanor or a felony arrest, other than a minor traffic violation, in this state or any other state, shall notify the deputy secretary of public safety services by certified mail. The deputy secretary may suspend, for up to ninety days, the permit of any permittee who fails to meet the notification requirements of this Section.
2. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall submit a report by March thirty-first of each year to the Senate Committee on Judiciary C and the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice relative to concealed handgun permits. The report shall include information on the number of licenses issued, denied, revoked, or suspended and the reasons for such denial, revocation, or suspension to be categorized by age, sex, race, and zip code of the applicant or licensee. The report shall include data concerning any known accidents or deaths involving permittees.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department may develop, print, and distribute an informational newsletter relative to concealed handgun permittees, safety training, and related matters.
1. Possession of a current and valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute sufficient evidence of the background check required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(t) provided that the appropriate waiver has been granted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A person whose permit has been suspended or revoked by the department and who uses that permit to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer knowing that the permit has been suspended or revoked shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
2. A current and valid concealed handgun permit issued by another state to an individual having attained the age of twenty-one years shall be deemed to be valid for the out-of-state permit holder to carry a concealed weapon within this state if a current and valid concealed handgun permit issued by Louisiana is valid in those states.
3. An out-of-state permit holder carrying a concealed handgun pursuant to this Paragraph is bound by the laws of this state regarding carrying a concealed handgun pursuant to a permit issued in accordance with this Section.
4. A concealed handgun permit issued by another state is invalid in the state of Louisiana for the purpose of authorizing a Louisiana resident to carry a concealed handgun in the state of Louisiana.
5. The deputy secretary for public safety services shall also have the authority to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states so that full-time active peace officers commissioned in another state shall have the same authority as a person issued a concealed handgun permit pursuant to this Section to carry a concealed handgun while in this state, regardless of whether or not they are in the official discharge of their duties, and full-time active law enforcement officers commissioned in this state shall have the authority to carry a concealed handgun in those states whether or not they are in the official discharge of their duties. An out-of-state law enforcement officer carrying a concealed handgun pursuant to this Paragraph is bound by the laws of this state regarding carrying a concealed handgun pursuant to a permit issued in accordance with this Section.
1. The entity which owns the business or has authority over the administration of a church, synagogue, or mosque shall have the authority to authorize any person issued a valid concealed handgun permit as authorized by the provisions of this Section to carry a concealed handgun in the church, synagogue, or mosque.
2. The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to limit or prohibit any church, synagogue, or mosque from employing or designating as armed security guards persons who are either certified law enforcement officers or authorized to carry concealed handguns pursuant to the provisions of this Section. Armed security guards as provided in this Paragraph may be compensated, noncompensated, or volunteers.
3. If the church, synagogue, or mosque authorizes the carrying of concealed handguns as authorized by the provisions of this Subsection, the pastor, priest, minister, or other authority of the church, synagogue, or mosque shall inform the congregation of the authorization.
4. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to authorize the carrying of a concealed handgun in a church, synagogue, or mosque located on the property of any school or school property, which would otherwise be prohibited by the provisions of R.S. 14:95.2.
5. Any church, synagogue, or mosque authorizing the carrying of concealed handguns pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall require an additional eight hours of tactical training for those persons wishing to carry concealed handguns in the church, synagogue, or mosque if required by the entity which has authority over the religious organization pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection or by the owner of the building's liability insurance policy. The training shall be conducted annually.
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a Louisiana resident who meets the provisions of this Section may be issued a lifetime concealed handgun permit. The term for the lifetime concealed handgun permit shall be for the life of the permit holder.
2. A person issued a lifetime concealed handgun permit shall be required to meet the qualifications and competency requirements for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit pursuant to the provisions of Subsections C and D of this Section.
3. A person issued a lifetime concealed handgun permit shall have a continuing obligation to comply with the provisions of this Section and any other rules or provisions of law regarding the carrying of concealed handguns.
4. 1. A lifetime concealed handgun permit holder shall provide the division with proof of completion of educational training every five years. The educational training shall include all of the following:
    1. Instruction on handgun nomenclature and safe handling procedures for a revolver and a semiautomatic pistol.
    2. Instruction on ammunition knowledge and fundamentals of pistol shooting.
    3. Instruction on handgun shooting positions.
    4. Instruction on the use of deadly force and conflict resolution which shall include a review of R.S.14:18 through 22 and which may include a review of any other laws relating to use of deadly force.
    5. Instruction on child access prevention.
    6. Actual live range fire and proper handgun cleaning procedures:
      1. aa. Live range fire shall include twelve rounds each at six feet, ten feet, and fifteen feet for a total of thirty-six rounds.
      2. bb. Each applicant or permittee must perform at least one safe reload of the handgun at each distance.
      3. cc. Each applicant or permittee must score one hundred percent hits within the silhouette portion of a N.R.A. B-27 type silhouette target with at least thirty-six rounds.
  2. Failure to submit proof of completion of the educational training pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph shall result in the suspension of the lifetime concealed handgun permit until such time as the lifetime concealed handgun permit holder submits proof of the educational training required in the provisions of this Paragraph.
5. The deputy secretary of the department shall revoke the lifetime concealed handgun permit if the permittee fails to satisfy the qualifications and requirements of Subsection C of this Section or violates the provisions of Subsection I of this Section.
6. A lifetime concealed handgun permit shall be suspended if the holder of that permit becomes a resident of another state. The lifetime concealed handgun permit shall be reactivated upon reestablishment of residency in Louisiana if the applicant otherwise meets the requirements of this Section and upon successful completion of a criminal history records check.
7. An applicant for a lifetime concealed handgun permit shall pay the yearly fee provided for in Paragraph (H)(2) of this Section but shall prepay that fee for a total of twenty years at the time the application is made. If the applicant is sixty-five years of age or older, he shall pay they early fee provided for in Paragraph (H)(2) of this Section but shall prepay that fee for a total of ten years at the time the application is made.
1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an active duty member or reserve member of the armed forces of the United States shall pay one half of the annual fee provided for in Paragraph (H)(2) of this Section for a five-year permit, or if applying for a lifetime concealed handgun permit, he shall prepay that fee for a total of ten years at the time the application for the lifetime concealed handgun permit is made.
2. A veteran of the armed forces of the United States shall be exempt from all fees associated with the five-year permit or lifetime concealed carry permit.
3. For the purposes of this Subsection,"veteran" shall mean any honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States including reserved components of the armed forces, the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and any other category of persons designated by the president in time of war or emergency.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 322, §1; Acts 1985, No. 822, §1; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. April 19, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 841, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1081, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1082, §1; Acts 1999, No. 924, §2; Acts 1999, No. 1290, §1; Acts 2001, No. 574, §1; H.C.R. No. 127, 2001 R.S; Acts 2004, No. 470, §1; Acts 2008, No. 487, §1; Acts 2010, No. 341, §1; Acts 2010, No. 346, §1; Acts 2010, No. 354, §1; Acts 2010, No. 771, §1; Acts 2010, No. 925, §§1, 2; Acts 2010, No. 944, §1; Acts 2011, No. 242, §1; Acts 2013, No. 84, §1; Acts 2013, No. 401, §1; Acts 2013, No. 403, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2013, No. 404, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 221, §1 eff. Aug. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 614, §1, eff. July 4, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 811, § 23, Acts 2016 No. 212 § 1; Acts 2016 No. 44. § 1 eff. August 1, 2016; Amended 2018 Act 414, Acts 2020 No. 299 § 1, Acts 2020 No. 186 § 1

1. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall assess a fee not to exceed one hundred dollars for a concealed handgun permit with a term of four years, to be submitted with the application to cover the administrative costs of the investigation and other services required to process and issue the permit. An additional fee of fifty dollars may be assessed to cover costs associated with the background check of any individual who resided outside of the state of Louisiana at any time during the fifteen years prior to submission of the application.
2. Whenever the applicant is sixty-five years of age or older, the fees assessed pursuant to this Subsection shall be one-half of the amount otherwise assessed by the department.
3. No fee authorized under the provisions of this Section shall be assessed on or collected from any law enforcement officer who is retired from full-time active law enforcement service with at least twelve years service upon retirement, nor assessed on or collected from any enforcement officer of the office of state parks, in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism who is retired from full-time active duty as an enforcement officer provided the retired officer is annually qualified in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and has on his or her person proof of such qualification. This exception shall not apply to any officer who is medically retired based upon any mental impairment.
Fees received by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as authorized in this Section and fines collected pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.3(L) shall be deposited immediately upon receipt into the state treasury.
After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, and prior to monies being placed in the state general fund, an amount equal to that deposited as required by Subsection B of this Section shall be credited to a special fund hereby created in the state treasury to be known as the "Concealed Handgun Permit Fund". The monies in this fund shall be used solely as provided for in Subsection D of this Section and only in the amounts appropriated by the legislature. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in this fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in such fund. The monies in this fund shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund and interest earned on the investment of these monies shall be credited to this fund, again, following compliance with the requirement of Article VII, Section 9(B) relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
The monies in the Concealed Handgun Permit Fund shall be used solely for administration of the concealed handgun permit process and for special law enforcement initiatives.

Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 28, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1082, §1; Acts 2006, No. 589, §2; Acts 2014, No. 524, §4, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

A person on whose behalf the court has issued a permanent injunction or a protective order to bring about the cessation of abuse by one family member, household member, or dating partner pursuant to a court-approved consent agreement or pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 9:361 et seq., R.S. 9:372, R.S. 46:2136, 2151, or 2173, Children's Code Article 1570, Code of Civil Procedure Article 3607.1, or Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 30, 327.1, 335.1, 335.2, or 871.1 and which prohibits the subject of the order from possessing a firearm for the duration of the injunction or protective order pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 46:2136.3 may apply to the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for the issuance of a temporary concealed handgun permit.
When submitting an application for a temporary concealed handgun permit, the applicant shall:
1. Make sworn application in person or electronically to the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The providing of false or misleading information on the application or any documents submitted with the application shall be grounds for the denial or revocation of a temporary concealed handgun permit.
2. Agree in writing to hold harmless and indemnify the department, the state, or any peace officer for any and all liability arising out of the issuance or use of the temporary concealed handgun permit.
3. Meet the qualifications for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit as provided for in R.S. 40:1379.3(C); however, an applicant for a temporary concealed handgun permit shall not be required to comply with the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3(D) upon application.
4. Pay the twenty-five dollar fee authorized in R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2).
1. The holder of a temporary concealed handgun permit shall not be subject to the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3(D) pending completion of the requisite training for a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3, but shall otherwise comply with all other restrictions and provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3.
2. If the applicant for a temporary concealed handgun permit applies for a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3, the twenty-five dollar fee paid shall be applied to the cost of a concealed handgun permit as provided for in R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2) issued once the temporary concealed handgun permittee completes the requisite training pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.3(D).
The temporary concealed handgun permit:
1. Is valid only in Louisiana and shall not be considered as satisfying the requirements of reciprocity with any other state concealed firearm provisions.
2. Shall not be construed to constitute evidence of a background check required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922 prior to the transfer of a firearm as authorized by the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3(T).
3. Shall expire forty-five days from the date of issuance.
The person issued a temporary concealed handgun permit as provided by the provisions of this Section is authorized to carry a concealed handgun for a period of forty-five days from issuance or until the concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 40:1379.3 is issued, whichever is less.
Failure to carry a copy of the permanent injunction or the protective order at all times the person is carrying the concealed handgun shall render the temporary concealed handgun permit invalid.
The department shall conduct a background check as provided for in R.S. 40:1379.3(K) prior to the issuance of a temporary concealed handgun permit.
The office of state police shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this Section.

(History: Enacted 2016 Act No. 465. effective 08/01/2016

All employees, officers, or agents of the division of state police may carry arms and weapons, concealed or openly, while in the actual performance of any duty or while under assignment to any duty under this Subpart.
The police employees of the division shall be the highway patrol of the state and as such shall perform only real police duties as provided by R.S. 40:1379.

Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. April 19, 1996.

Negligent carrying of a concealed handgun is the intentional or criminally negligent carrying by any person, whether or not authorized or licensed to carry or possess a concealed handgun, under the following circumstances:
1. When it is foreseeable that the handgun may discharge, or when others are placed in reasonable apprehension that the handgun may discharge.
2. When the handgun is being carried, brandished, or displayed under circumstances that create a reasonable apprehension on the part of members of the public or a law enforcement official that a crime is being committed or is about to be committed.
It shall be within the discretion of the law enforcement officer to issue a summons to a person accused of committing this offense in lieu of making a physical arrest. The seizure of the handgun pending resolution of the offense shall only be discretionary in the instance where the law enforcement officer issues a summons to the person accused. If the law enforcement officer makes a physical arrest of the person accused, the handgun and the person's license to carry such handgun shall be seized.
Whoever commits the offense of negligent carrying of a concealed handgun shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned without hard labor for not more than six months, or both. The adjudicating judge may also order the forfeiture of the handgun and may suspend or revoke any permit or license authorizing the carrying of the handgun.

Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. April 19, 1996.

For purposes of this Part, "machine gun" includes all firearms of any calibre, commonly known as machine rifles, machine guns, and sub-machine guns, capable of automatically discharging more than eight cartridges successively without reloading, in which the ammunition is fed to the gun from or by means of clips, disks, belts, or some other separable mechanical device. "Manufacturer" includes all persons manufacturing machine guns; "Merchant" includes all persons dealing with machine guns as merchandise.

Acts 1932, No. 80, §1.

No person shall sell, keep or offer for sale, loan or give away, purchase, possess, carry, or transport any machine gun within this state, except that:

All duly appointed peace officers may purchase, possess, carry, and transport machine guns.
This Part does not apply to the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States, the National Guard, and organizations authorized by law to purchase or receive machine guns from the United States or from this state. The members of such Corps, National Guard, and organizations may possess, carry, and transport machine guns while on duty.
Persons possessing war relics may purchase and possess machine guns which are relics of any war in which the United States was involved, may exhibit and carry the machine guns in the parades of any military organization, and may sell, offer to sell, loan, or give the machine guns to other persons possessing war relics.
Guards or messengers employed by common carriers, banks, and trust companies, and pay-roll guards or messengers may possess and carry machine guns while actually employed in and about the shipment, transportation, or delivery, or in the guarding of any money, treasure, bullion, bonds, or other thing of value. Their employers may purchase or receive machine guns and keep them in their possession when the guns are not being used by their guards or messengers.
Manufacturers and merchants may sell, keep or offer for sale, loan or give away, purchase, possess, and transport machine guns in the same manner as other merchandise except as otherwise provided in this Part. Common carriers may possess and transport unloaded machine guns as other merchandise.

Acts 1932, No. 80, §2.

No manufacturer or merchant shall permit any machine gun to pass from his possession to the possession of any person other than:

A manufacturer or a merchant.
A common carrier for shipment to a manufacturer or merchant.
A duly authorized agent of the government of the United States or of this state, acting in his official capacity.
A person authorized to purchase a machine gun under the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (4) of R.S. 40:1752.

Manufacturers or merchants shall not deliver a machine gun to any of the persons authorized to purchase it under the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (4) of R.S. 40:1752 unless the person presents a written permit to purchase and possess a machine gun, signed by the sheriff of the parish in which the manufacturer or merchant has his place of business or delivers the machine gun. The manufacturer or merchant shall retain the written permit and keep it on file in his place of business. Each sheriff shall keep a record of all permits issued by him.

Acts 1932, No. 80, §3.

Every manufacturer or merchant shall keep a register of all machine guns manufactured or handled by him. This register shall show:

The date of the sale, loan, gift, delivery, or receipt of any machine gun;
The name, address, and occupation of the person to whom the machine gun was sold, loaned, given, or delivered, or from whom it was received; and
The purpose for which the person, to whom the machine gun was sold, loaned, given, or delivered, purchased or obtained it.

Upon demand, every manufacturer or merchant shall permit any sheriff or deputy sheriff or any police officer to inspect his entire stock of machine guns, and parts and supplies therefor, and shall produce the register required in this Section and all written permits to purchase or possess a machine gun, which he has retained and filed in his place of business.

Acts 1932, No. 80, §4.

Any manufacturer who:
1. Passes possession of or delivers a machine gun to any person in violation of R.S. 40:1753; or
2. Fails to keep an accurate register, as required in R.S. 40:1754; or
3. Fails to produce or account for a sheriff's permit for each machine gun sold by him for which a permit is necessary under the provisions of R.S. 40:1753,
shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than one year nor more than five years.
Any person who violates R.S. 40:1752 shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than one year nor more than ten years.
Whoever, having been convicted of murder, armed or simple robbery, aggravated or simple burglary, or aggravated battery, or an attempt to commit any one of those crimes, thereafter violates any of the provisions of this Part shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than three years nor more than ten years.

Acts 1932, No. 80, §§5, 6.

For the purpose of this Part, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section:

"Dealer" means any person not a manufacturer or importer engaged in this state in the business of selling any firearm. The term includes wholesalers, pawnbrokers, and other persons dealing in used firearms.
"Department" means the Department of Public Safety.
"Firearm" means a shotgun having a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length; a rifle having a barrel of less than sixteen inches in length; any weapon made from either a rifle or a shotgun if said weapon has been modified to have an overall length of less than twenty-six inches; any other firearm, pistol, revolver, or shotgun from which the serial number or mark of identification has been obliterated, from which a shot is discharged by an explosive, if that weapon is capable of being concealed on the person; or a machine gun, grenade launcher, flame thrower, bazooka, rocket launcher, excluding black powder weapons, or gas grenade; and includes a muffler or silencer for any firearm, whether or not the firearm is included within this definition. Pistols and revolvers and those rifles and shotguns which have not previously been defined in this Paragraph as firearms from which serial numbers or marks of identification have not been obliterated are specifically exempt from this definition.
"Importer" means any person who imports or brings into the state any firearm.
"Machine gun" means any weapon, including a submachine gun, which shoots or is designed to shoot automatically more than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.
"Manufacturer" means any person who is engaged in this state in the manufacture, assembling, alteration, or repair of any firearm.
"Muffler" or "silencer" includes any device for silencing or diminishing the report of any portable weapon such as a rifle, carbine, pistol, revolver, machine gun, submachine gun, shotgun, fowling piece, or other device from which a shot, bullet, or projectile may be discharged by an explosive and is not limited to mufflers and silencers for firearms as defined in this Section.
"Transfer" includes the sale, assignment, pledge, lease, loan, gift, or other disposition of any firearm.

Amended by Acts 1964, No. 51, §1; Acts 1975, No. 381, §1; Acts 1977, No. 532, §1; Acts 1988, No. 424, §1.

This Part does not apply to the following persons and things:

Sheriffs or equivalent municipal officers in municipalities of over ten thousand, when they are acting in their official capacity.
The arms, accoutrements, and equipment of the military and naval forces of the United States or of other officers of the United States authorized by law to possess weapons of any kind.
The arms, accoutrements, and equipment of the militia.
Any firearm which is unserviceable and which is transferred as a curiosity or ornament.

No person shall receive, possess, carry, conceal, buy, sell, or transport any firearm which has not been registered or transferred in accordance with Title 18 or Title 26 of the United States Code as applicable.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 316, §11; Acts 2013, No. 398, §1.

Each manufacturer, importer, and dealer in any firearm shall identify it with a number or other identification mark approved by the department and shall mark or stamp or otherwise place the number or mark thereon in a manner approved by the department.
No one shall obliterate, remove, change, or alter this number or mark.

Amended Acts of 2016 No. 340. effective 8/1/2016

Importers, manufacturers, and dealers shall keep such books and records and render such returns in relation to the transactions in firearms specified in this Part as the department requires.

The department may prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Part.

Under regulations prescribed by the department, any firearm may be imported or brought into this state or possessed or transferred when the purpose thereof is shown to be lawful.

Upon the first violation of any provision of this Part the penalty shall be a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand dollars and imprisonment with or without hard labor for not less than one nor more than five years. For any subsequent violation of this Part the penalty shall be a fine of not less than two thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five years nor more than ten years.

Amended by Acts 1975, No. 491, §1.

No person shall intentionally receive, possess, carry, conceal, buy, sell, transfer, or transport any firearm which has been illegally obtained or from which the serial number or individual identifying mark, as required by R.S. 40:1788, has been intentionally obliterated, altered, removed, or concealed.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any firearm which is an antique or war relic and is inoperable or for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade, or which was originally manufactured without such a number.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, whoever violates the provisions of this Section may be fined not more than one thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned at hard labor for five years without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Prior to sentencing for a conviction under this Section, the defendant shall be given the opportunity to identify the source of the firearm upon which the conviction was based. If the defendant reveals the identity of the source of the weapon and the identity of the source is confirmed by the prosecutor or the court, the defendant shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent the prosecution of an individual who obtained the firearm by theft, robbery, deception, or by other unlawful means from the lawful owner of the firearm.
Any illegally obtained firearm or a firearm from which the serial number or identifying mark required by R.S. 40:1788 has been obliterated or altered is hereby declared to be contraband and shall be seized by the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction. If it is determined that a person other than the owner was responsible for removing, altering, or obliterating the serial number or identifying mark, the firearm shall be returned to its lawful owner or may be disposed of according to law but only after a new serial number has been permanently fixed on the firearm. If a new serial number is not so affixed, the firearm shall be destroyed by the law enforcement agency in possession of the firearm.

Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 29, §1.

No governing authority of a political subdivision shall enact after July 15, 1985, any ordinance or regulation more restrictive than state law concerning in any way the sale, purchase, possession, ownership, transfer, transportation, license, or registration of firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms or ammunition; however, this Section shall not apply to the levy and collection of sales and use taxes, license fees and taxes and permit fees, nor shall it affect the authority of political subdivisions to prohibit the possession of a weapon or firearm in the commercial establishments and public buildings enumerated in R.S. 40:1379.3(N).
Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a local governing authority in a high-risk area from developing a plan with federally licensed firearms manufacturers, dealers, or importers to secure the inventory of firearms and ammunition of those licensees in order to prevent looting of the licensee's premises during a declared state of emergency or disaster. Such plan shall be renewed on a periodic basis. The information contained in the plan shall be deemed security procedures as defined in R.S. 44:3.1 and shall be released only to the sheriffs of the parishes or police chiefs of municipalities in which the declared state of emergency or disaster exists.
For the purposes of this Section:
1. "Declared emergency or disaster" means an emergency or disaster declared by the governor or parish president pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act.
2. "High-risk area" means the parishes of Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Vermilion.

Added by Acts 1985, No. 741, §1, eff. July 17, 1985; Acts 2006, No. 254, §1. Amended 2020 Act 299 § 2

Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of the state police, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and each law enforcement agency of a political subdivision of the state shall dispose of firearms which are lawfully seized by and forfeited to those agencies in the manner provided for in this Section.
For the purpose of this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
1. "Contraband" means any firearm which cannot be lawfully owned or possessed by any state or local law enforcement agency or by any private citizen.
2. "Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, or assault rifle, which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
3. "Forfeited" means that the ownership of the firearm has been transferred to a law enforcement agency by a court order and that the firearm is not being held as evidence or for any other purpose related to an investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
4. "Law enforcement agency" means the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the sheriff of any parish, or the police department of any municipality.
5. "Seized" means lawfully taken and held by a law enforcement agency in connection with an investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
If the seized or forfeited firearm is contraband, the law enforcement agency shall destroy the seized or forfeited firearm.
If the seized or forfeited firearm is not contraband, and if the law enforcement agency knows the owner of the seized or forfeited firearm, and if the owner did not commit any violation of any federal or state law or local ordinance in which the seized or forfeited firearm was involved, and if the owner may lawfully possess the seized or forfeited firearm, the law enforcement agency shall return the seized or forfeited firearm to the owner.
If the provisions of Subsections C and D do not apply, the law enforcement agency shall dispose of the seized or forfeited firearm in accordance with the following provisions:
1. If the firearm is of a type which can lawfully be possessed and used by a law enforcement agency, the law enforcement agency may dispose of the firearm in one of the following ways:
  1. The law enforcement agency may retain and use the firearm.
  2. The law enforcement agency may sell or donate the firearm to another law enforcement agency or may use the firearm as consideration or partial consideration in an exchange with another law enforcement agency.
  3. The law enforcement agency may sell the firearm to a firearms dealer or a firearms manufacturer, or may use the firearm as consideration or partial consideration in an exchange with a firearms dealer or a firearms manufacturer, provided the firearms dealer or the firearms manufacturer is licensed to buy, sell, or trade that type of firearm.
  4. The law enforcement agency may destroy the firearm.
2. If the firearm is of a type which can lawfully be possessed and used by a private citizen, the law enforcement agency may dispose of the firearm in one of the following ways:
  1. The law enforcement agency may retain and use the firearm.
  2. The law enforcement agency may sell or donate the firearm to another law enforcement agency or may use the firearm as consideration or partial consideration in an exchange with another law enforcement agency.
  3. The law enforcement agency may sell the firearm to a firearms dealer or a firearms manufacturer, or may use the firearm as consideration or partial consideration in an exchange with a firearms dealer or a firearms manufacturer, provided the firearms dealer or the firearms manufacturer is licensed to buy, sell, or trade that type of firearm.
  4. The law enforcement agency may sell the firearm to a private citizen. A sale of a firearm to a private citizen shall be at a public auction in the same manner as a sale of surplus property. A sale of a firearm to a private citizen shall comply with all federal laws, state laws, and local ordinances which apply to that sale, and the law enforcement agency shall perform the background checks on the purchaser which are required by state and federal laws for sales of firearms by licensed firearms dealers.
  5. The law enforcement agency may destroy the firearm.
Before a law enforcement agency destroys a seized or forfeited firearm under the provisions of Subsections D and E , the law enforcement agency shall ensure that any security interest attached to the firearm to be destroyed is satisfied in favor of the party holding the security interest in the firearm.
A law enforcement agency may dispose of its own surplus firearms in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Section.

Acts 1999, No. 806, §1; Acts 2001, No. 236, §1.

The governing authority of any political subdivision or local or other governmental authority of the state is precluded and preempted from bringing suit to recover against any firearms or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer for damages for injury, death, or loss or to seek other injunctive relief resulting from or relating to the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition. The authority to bring such actions as may be authorized by law shall be reserved exclusively to the state.
This Section shall not prohibit the governing authority of a political subdivision or local or other governing authority of the state from bringing an action against a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer for breach of contract as to firearms or ammunition purchased by the political subdivision or local authority of the state.

Acts 1999, No. 291, §1, eff. June 11, 1999.

As used in this Part, "armor-piercing bullet" shall mean any bullet, except a shotgun shell or ammunition primarily designed for use in rifles, that:

Has a steel inner core or core of equivalent density and hardness, truncated cone, and is designed for use in a pistol or revolver as a body armor or metal piercing bullet; or
Has been primarily manufactured or designed, by virtue of its shape, cross-sectional density, or any coating applied thereto, to breach or penetrate body armor when fired from a handgun.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 284, §1.

No person shall import, manufacture, sell, purchase, possess, or transfer armor-piercing bullets.
Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than one year, or both.

Added by Acts 1983, No.284, §1.

The provisions of this Part shall not apply to:

Law enforcement officers and employees acting in the lawful performance of their duties.
Law enforcement or other authorized agencies conducting a firearms training course, operating a forensic ballistics laboratory, or specializing in the development of ammunition or explosive ordinance.
Department of Corrections officials and employees authorized to carry firearms while engaged in the performance of their official duties.
Members of the armed services or reserve forces of the United States or Louisiana National Guard while engaged in the performance of their official duties.
Federal officials authorized to carry firearms while engaged in the performance of their official duties.
The lawful manufacture, importation, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of armor-piercing bullets exclusively to or for persons authorized by law to possess such bullets.
A bona fide collector licensed by the Department of Public Safety.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 284, §1.

Any person against whom the court has issued a permanent injunction or 25 a protective order pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 9:361 et seq., R.S. 9:372, R.S. 46:2136 or 2151, Children's Code Article 1570, Code of Civil Procedure Article 3607.1, or Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 30, 327.1, 335.2, or 871.1 shall be prohibited from possessing a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon for the duration of the injunction or protective order if both of the following occur:
1. The permanent injunction or protective order includes a finding that the person subject to the permanent injunction or protective order represents a credible threat to the phy sical safety of a family member or household member.
2. The permanent injunction or protective order informs the person subject to the permanent injunction or protective order that the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm pursua nt to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) and R.S. 46:2136.3.
For the provisions of this Section, "firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be in violation of and subject to the penalties set forth in R.S. 14:79.

Added by Acts 2014, No. 195, §2, eff. Aug 1, 2014. Amended 2018 Act 367

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Department of Health and Hospitals or the office of elderly affairs, for the purpose of adult protective services, shall report upon request to the Louisiana Supreme Court for reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database the name and any other identifying information contained in case records of any adult that may be prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to the laws of this state or 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4).
2. 1. The department shall provide the Louisiana Supreme Court with the name of the court which issued the commitment order and the docket number of the proceeding if that information is in the possession of the department.
  2. In addition, the department shall provide the following available information regarding the client:
    1. Name.
    2. Date of birth.
    3. Alias names, if any.
    4. Social security number.
    5. Sex.
    6. Race.
The department shall provide all documents in its possession as authorized by the provisions of this Section upon request of the court and within a reasonable time period regardless of when the court proceedings occurred.
The providing of the information as required by the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to violate the confidentiality provisions of R.S. 46:56 or any other law regarding client confidentiality.
For the purposes of this Section, "department" means the Department of Health and Hospitals and the office of elderly affairs, for the purposes of adult protection services as provided in R.S. 15:1503(4).

Added by Acts 2016 Act No. 426. § 1

Any person who is authorized to possess a firearm sound suppressor, as evidenced by payment and possession of the required federal tax stamp issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, may use a firearm fitted with a sound suppressor when taking game birds, wild quadrupeds, outlaw quadrupeds, nutria, or beaver as provided by R.S. 56:116.1. Any person who has been convicted of a class four or greater hunting violation for a period of five years after the date of such conviction shall not use a firearm fitted with a sound suppressor pursuant to this Section. Possession or use of a sound suppressor by a person other than as permitted by this Section shall be considered in violation of this Section and shall be punished as a class six violation in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 56:36.

Added by Acts 2014, No. 378, §1, eff. Aug 1, 2014.

As used in this Title:

"Dating partner" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S. 46:2151 or R.S. 14:34.9.
"Family member" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S. 46:2132 or R.S. 14:35.3.
"Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
"Household member" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S. 46:2132 or R.S. 14:35.3.
"Other law enforcement agency" shall include any local or municipal police force, the constable, and state police.
"Sheriff" means the sheriff of the jurisdiction in which the order was issued, unless the person resides outside of the jurisdiction in which the order is issued. If the person resides outside of the jurisdiction in which the order is issued, "sheriff" means the sheriff of the parish in which the person resides.

History: Acts 2018, No. 367, §3, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 427, §3.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the sheriff may enter into an agreement with any other law enforcement agency to have that law enforcement agency assume the duties of the sheriff under this Title.

Acts 2019, No. 427, §3.

1. When a person has of any of the following, the judge shall order the transfer of all firearms and the suspension of a concealed handgun permit of the person:
  1. A conviction of domestic abuse battery (R.S. 14:35.3).
  2. A second or subsequent conviction of battery of a dating partner (R.S. 14:34.9).
  3. A conviction of battery of a dating partner that involves strangulation (R.S. 14:34.9(K)).
  4. A conviction of battery of a dating partner when the offense involves burning (R.S. 14:34.9(L)).
  5. A conviction of possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and certain offenses of battery of a dating partner (R.S. 14:95.10).
  6. A conviction of domestic abuse aggravated assault (R.S. 14:37.7).
  7. A conviction of aggravated assault upon a dating partner (R.S.26 14:34.9.1).
  8. A conviction of any felony crime of violence enumerated or defined in R.S. 14:2(B), for which a person would be prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to R.S. 14:95.1, and which has as an element of the crime that the victim was a family member, household member, or dating partner.
  9. A conviction of any felony crime of violence enumerated or defined in R.S. 14:2(B), for which a person would be prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to R.S. 14:95.1, and in which the victim of the crime was determined to be a family member, household member, or dating partner.
2. Upon issuance of an injunction or order under any of the following circumstances, the judge shall order the transfer of all firearms and the suspension of a concealed handgun permit of the person who is subject to the injunction or order:
  1. The issuance of a permanent injunction or a protective order pursuant to a court-approved consent agreement or pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 9:361 et seq., R.S. 9:372, R.S. 46:2136, 2151, or 2173, Children's Code Article 1570, Code of Civil Procedure Article 3607.1, or Articles 30, 320, or 871.1 of this Code.
  2. The issuance of a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order that includes terms that prohibit the person from possessing a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon.
1. The order to transfer firearms and suspend a concealed handgun permit shall be issued by the court at the time of conviction for any of the offenses listed in Subparagraph (A)(1) of this Article or at the time the court issues an injunction or order under any of the circumstances listed in Subparagraph (A)(2) of this Article.
2. In the order to transfer firearms and suspend a concealed handgun permit the court shall inform the person subject to the order that he is prohibited from possessing a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon pursuant to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) and Louisiana law.
At the same time an order to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon is issued, the court shall also cause all of the following to occur:
1. Require the person to state in open court or complete an affidavit stating the number of firearms in his possession and the location of all firearms in his possession.
2. Require the person to complete a firearm information form that states the number of firearms in his possession, the type of each firearm, and the location of each firearm.
3. Transmit a copy of the order to transfer firearms and a copy of the firearm information form to the sheriff of the parish or the sheriff of the parish of the person's residence.
1. The court shall, on the record and in open court, order the person to transfer all firearms in his possession to the sheriff no later than forty-eight hours, exclusive of legal holidays, after the order is issued and a copy of the order and firearm information form required by Paragraph C of this Article is sent to the sheriff. If the person is incarcerated at the time the order is issued, he shall transfer his firearms no later than forty-eight hours after his release from incarceration, exclusive of legal holidays. At the time of transfer, the sheriff and the person shall complete a proof of transfer form. The proof of transfer form shall contain the quantity of firearms transferred. The sheriff shall retain a copy of the form and provide the person with a copy. The proof of transfer form shall attest that the person is not currently in possession of firearms in accordance with the provisions of this Title and is currently compliant with state and federal law, but shall not include the date on which the transfer occurred.
2. Within ten days of transferring his firearms, exclusive of legal holidays, the person shall file the proof of transfer form with the clerk of court of the parish in which the order was issued. The proof of transfer form shall be maintained by the clerk of court under seal.
1. If the person subject to the order to transfer firearms and suspend a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to Paragraph A of this Article does not possess firearms, at the time the order is issued, the person shall complete a declaration of nonpossession form which shall be filed in the court record and a copy shall be provided to the sheriff.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph E of this Article or any other provision of law to the contrary, if the person subject to the order to transfer firearms and suspend a concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to Paragraph A of this Article possessed firearms at the time of the qualifying incident giving rise to the duty to transfer his firearms pursuant to this Title, but transferred or sold his firearms to a third party prior to the court's issuance of the order, that third-party transfer shall be declared in open court. The person subject to the order to transfer firearms and suspend a concealed handgun permit shall within ten days after issuance of the order, exclusive of legal holidays, execute along with the third party and a witness a proof of transfer form that complies with the provisions of Paragraph D of this Article and with Article 1003(A)(1)(a) of this Code. The proof of transfer form need not be signed by the sheriff and shall be filed, within ten days after the date on which the proof of transfer form is executed, by the person subject to the order with the clerk of court of the parish in which the order was issued. The proof of transfer form shall be maintained by the clerk of court under seal.
3. Within five days of the issuance of the order pursuant to Paragraph A of this Article, exclusive of legal holidays, the person shall file the declaration of nonpossession with the clerk of court of the parish in which the order was issued.
The failure to provide the information required by this Title, the failure to timely transfer firearms in accordance with the provisions of this Title, or both, may be punished as contempt of court. Information required to be provided in order to comply with the provisions of this Title cannot be used as evidence against that person in a future criminal proceeding, except as provided by the laws on perjury or false swearing.
On motion of the district attorney or of the person transferring his firearms, and for good cause shown, the court shall conduct a contradictory hearing with the district attorney to ensure that the person has complied with the provisions of this Title.
For the purposes of this Title, a person shall be deemed to be in possession of a firearm if that firearm is subject to his dominion and control.

Acts 2018, No. 367, §3, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 427, §3.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 814 and 817 and any other provision of law to the contrary, when a person is charged with any felony crime of violence enumerated or defined in R.S. 14:2(B), for which the person would be prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to R.S. 14:95.1 if convicted, the district attorney may allege in the indictment or bill of information that the victim of the crime was a family member, household member, or dating partner for the purpose of invoking the provisions of this Title, including Article 1002(A)(1)(i). If the person pleads guilty to the indictment or bill of information, the fact that the victim was a family member, household member, or dating partner shall be deemed admitted. If the matter proceeds to trial, the issue of whether the victim was a family member, household member, or dating partner shall be submitted to the jury and the verdict shall include a specific finding of fact as to that issue in addition to a specification of the offense as to which the verdict is found.

Acts 2019, No. 427, §3.

The sheriff of each parish shall be responsible for oversight of firearm transfers in his parish. For each firearm transferred pursuant to this Title, the sheriff shall offer all of the following options to the transferor:
1. 1. Allow a third party to receive and hold the transferred firearms. The third party shall complete a firearms acknowledgment form that, at a minimum, informs the third party of the relevant state and federal laws, lists the consequences for noncompliance, and asks if the third party is able to lawfully possess a firearm. No firearm shall be transferred to a third party living in the same residence as the transferor at the time of transfer. The sheriff shall prescribe the manner in which firearms are transferred to a third party.
  2. If a firearm is transferred to a third party pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph, the sheriff shall advise the third party that return of the firearm to the person before the person is able to lawfully possess the firearms pursuant to state or federal law may result in the third party being charged with a crime.
2. Store the transferred firearms in a storage facility with which the sheriff has contracted for the storage of transferred firearms. The sheriff may charge a reasonable fee for the storage of such firearms.
3. Oversee the legal sale of the transferred firearms to a third party. The sheriff may contract with a licensed firearms dealer for such purpose. The sheriff may charge a reasonable fee to oversee the sale of firearms.
The sheriff shall prepare a receipt for each firearm transferred and provide a copy to the person transferring the firearms. The receipt shall include the firearm manufacturer, and firearm serial number. The receipt shall be signed by the officer accepting the firearms and the person transferring the firearms. The sheriff may require the receipt to be presented before returning a transferred firearm.
The sheriff shall keep a record of all transferred firearms including but not limited to the name of the person transferring the firearm, the manufacturer, model, serial number, and the manner in which the firearm is stored.
1. When the person is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law, the person whose firearms were transferred pursuant to the provisions of this Title may file a motion with the court seeking an order for the return of the transferred firearms.
2. Upon reviewing the motion, if the court determines that the person is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law, the court shall issue an order stating that the firearms transferred pursuant to the provisions of this Title shall be returned to the person. The order shall include the date on which the person is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm and a copy of the order shall be sent to the sheriff. However, all outstanding fees shall be paid to the sheriff prior to the firearms being returned.
3. No sheriff or third party to whom the firearms were transferred pursuant to the provisions of this Title, shall return a transferred firearm prior to receiving the order issued by the court pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph.
4. If the person refuses to pay outstanding fees to the sheriff or fails to file a motion with the court seeking an order for the return of the transferred firearms within one year of the expiration of the prohibition on possessing firearms under state or federal law, the sheriff may send, by United States mail to the person's last known address, a notice informing the person that if he does not pay the outstanding fees to the sheriff or file a motion with the court seeking an order for the return of the transferred firearms within ninety days, the firearms shall be forfeited to the sheriff. If, after ninety days from the mailing of the notice, the person does not pay the outstanding fees to the sheriff or file a motion with the court seeking an order for the return of the transferred firearms, the sheriff may file a motion seeking a court order declaring that the firearms are forfeited to the sheriff, who may thereafter dispose of the firearms at his discretion.
The sheriff shall exercise due care to preserve the quality and function of all firearms transferred under the provisions of this Title. However, the sheriff shall not be liable for damage to firearms except for cases of willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence. In addition, the sheriff shall not be liable for damage caused by the third party to whom the firearms were transferred pursuant to the provisions of this Title.
Nothing in this Title shall be construed to prohibit the sheriff, consistent with constitutional requirements, from obtaining a search warrant to authorize testing or examination upon any firearm so as to facilitate any criminal investigation or prosecution. Notwithstanding Code of Criminal Procedure Article 163(C) or any other provision of law to the contrary, the testing or examination of the firearms pursuant to the search warrant may be conducted at any time before or during the pendency of any criminal proceeding in which the firearms, or the testing or examination of the firearms, may be used as evidence, and shall not be subject to the ten-day period in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 163(C).
Not sooner than three years after the date on which a firearm or firearms are returned pursuant to the provisions of this Article, the person may file a motion with the court requesting that the records relative to the firearm or firearms held by the clerk of court and by the sheriff be destroyed. After a contradictory hearing with the sheriff and the district attorney, which may be waived by the sheriff or the district attorney, the court, if the person is no longer prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law and if the firearm or firearms have actually been returned, shall order that the records held by the clerk of court and by the sheriff relative to the returned firearm or firearms be destroyed.

History: Acts 2018, No. 367, §3, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 427, §3.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any records held by the sheriff or any other law enforcement agency pursuant to this Title shall be confidential and shall not be considered a public record pursuant to the Public Records Law.

Acts 2019, No. 427, §3.

The sheriff, clerk of court, and district attorney of each parish shall develop forms, policies, and procedures no later than January 1, 2019, regarding the communication of convictions and orders issued between agencies, procedures for the acceptance of transferred firearms, procedures for the storage of transferred firearms, return of transferred firearms, the proof of transfer form, the declaration of nonpossession form, and any other form, policy, or procedure necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Title.

History: Enacted 2018 Act 367

Louisiana Firearm Laws

Louisiana Constitution Article I, Section 11

TITLE 13 - COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE

§13.752 - (2013) Legislative findings

§13.753 - (2018) Reporting of information to Louisiana Supreme Court for NICS database; possession of a firearm

TITLE 14 - CRIMINAL LAW

CHAPTER 1 - Criminal Code

Part I - General Provisions

Subpart C - Culpability

§14.18 - Justification; general provisions

§14.19 - (2014) Use of force or violence in defense

§14.20 - (2014) Justifiable homicide

§14.20.1 - Investigation of death due to violence or suspicious circumstances when claim of self-defense is raised

§14.21 - Aggressor cannot claim self defense

§14.22 - Defense of others

Part III - Offenses Against Property

Subpart A - By Violence To Buildings And Other Property

4 - Criminal Trespass

§14.63 - Criminal trespass

Subpart C - By Misappropriation Without Violence

§14.69.1 - (2014) Illegal possession of stolen firearms

Part VI - Offenses Affecting The Public Generally

Subpart A - Offenses Affecting The Public Safety

1 - Illegal Carrying And Discharge Of Weapons

§14.94 - Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities

§14.95 - (2020) Illegal carrying of weapons

§14.95.1 - (2018) Possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies

§14.95.1.1 - (2018) Illegally supplying a felon with a firearm

§14.95.1.2 - Illegally supplying a felon with ammunition

§14.95.1.3 - Fraudulent firearm and ammunition purchase; mandatory reporting

§14.95.1.4 - (2019) Illegal transfer of a firearm to a prohibited possessor

§14.95.2 - (2018) Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions or firearm-free zone

§14.95.2.1 - Illegal carrying of a firearm at a parade with any firearm used in the commission of a crime of violence

§14.95.2.2 - Reckless discharge of a firearm at a parade or demonstration

§14.95.3 - Unlawful use or possession of body armor

§14.95.4 - Consent to search; alcoholic beverage outlet

§14.95.5 - (2014) Possession of firearm on premises of alcoholic beverage outlet

§14.95.6 - (2016) Firearm-free zone; notice; signs; crime; penalties

§14.95.7 - Possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated numbers or marks

§14.95.8 - Illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile

§14.95.9 - (2018) Wearing or possessing body armor, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in firearm-free zones; exceptions

§14.95.10 - (2018) Possession of a firearm or carrying of a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and certain offenses of battery of a dating partner

§ 329.6 - (2020) Proclamation of state of emergency; conditions therefor; effect thereof

TITLE 17 - EDUCATION

§17:282.5 - (2015) Firearm accident prevention and safety education; authorized instruction

TITLE 28 - MENTAL HEALTH

§28.57 - (2018) Petition for restoration of right to possess a firearm and to apply for permit for concealed handgun; procedures

TITLE 29 - MILITARY, NAVAL, AND VETERAN'S AFFAIRS

§29.724 - (2020) Powers of the governor

§ 29.727 - (2020) Powers of the parish president; penalties for violations

§29.730.3 - (2020) Evacuations and curfews

§29.738 - (2020) Emergency powers do not extend to confiscation or seizure of lawfully possessed or used firearms, weapons, or ammunition; exceptions

§29.766 - (2020) Declaration of a state of public health emergency

TITLE 32 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATION

Subpart L - Miscellaneous Provisions

§32.292 - Hunting or discharge of firearms, when prohibited

§32.292.1 - Transportation and storage of firearms in privately owned motor vehicles

TITLE 33 - MUNICIPALITIES AND PARISHES

Part VI - Miscellaneous Powers

§33.4879 - (2014) Purpose; firearms buyback program; authorization

TITLE 40 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY

Part III - State Police

Subpart A - State Police Law

§40.1379.1 - (2013) Special officers; powers and duties; concealed handgun permit

§40.1379.1.1 - (2013) Concealed handgun permit issued by sheriffs; reciprocity; contiguous parishes

§40.1379.1.3 - (2014) Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers

§40.1379.1.4 - (2018) Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers

§40.1379.3 - (2020) Statewide permits for concealed handguns; application procedures; definitions

§40.1379.3.1 - (2014) Concealed Handgun Permit Fund; assessment and disposition of fees

§40.1379.3.2 - (2016) Temporary concealed handgun permit; protective order; time limitations

§40.1381 - Concealed weapons; employees; highway patrol

§40.1382 - Negligent carrying of a concealed handgun

CHAPTER 9 - Weapons

Part I - Machine Guns

§40.1751 - Definitions

§40.1752 - Handling of machine guns unlawful; exceptions

§40.1753 - Transfers of possessions permitted in certain cases; method

§40.1754 - Registers to be kept; inspection thereof

§40.1755 - Penalty

Part II - Registration