NEW ORLEANS — In one week, 18-year-olds without any felonies will be allowed to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
The New Orleans Police Department is reminding citizens that doesn't mean a 'free for all.'
Permitless carry is still prohibited at parades, and guns are not allowed in any establishment that serves alcohol, according to NOPD Deputy Superintendent, Nicholas Gernon.
Owner of Pepp's Pub, Sam Wurth, said monitoring guns is yet another thing business owners will be forced to do.
“We already have to watch out for drunks, we also have to watch out for overserving and now we have to watch out for people potentially having guns and that’s a scary place to be," Wurth said, “I think the nuances of the law are going to be lost on a lot of folks.”
On Thursday, NOPD officers attended a training put on by the Orleans District Attorney's Office and NOPD at the Eighth District to learn more about how to enforce gun laws given the change in legislation.
“These officers are now going to be retooled on what they can and can’t do and what tools are still available to them to enforce the law to keep folks safe down here," Gernon said.
Police are urging gun owners to study the laws on when and where they won't be able to carry.
“The onus is now on you," Gernon said.
NOPD also said where you store your gun is your responsibility.
“If somebody really feels the need to bring a gun down here and they leave it in their car, they really should be getting a lock box," Gernon said.
Wurth said guns being stored in cars while people go to businesses that don't allow guns is a concern.
"If people want to be compliant, they’re going to leave their guns in their car and now the criminals know this and they’re going to be looking for guns in these cars. So, the solution, hopefully, is people leave their guns at home," Wurth said, “I think this is a really tough policy to enforce and I really wish this wasn’t the case. I think to be 18 years old and carry a gun when you can’t even buy a beer is maybe not the best move.”
Besides bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, NOPD said you can't bring a gun within 1000 feet of a school.
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