NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick flanked by City Councilmember Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams, Assistant District Attorney Morris Bart, and other NOPD leaders outlined how the department will enforce gun laws in and around New Orleans.
On Thursday, July 4th, the state’s permitless carry gun law signed by Governor Jeff Landry will go into effect. However, gun owners need to know police in New Orleans can still enforce their gun laws for a limited time.
Speaking at a press conference Monday, Chief Kirkpatrick says while the new state law is set to go into effect – New Orleans Municipal Code 54-341, which was on the city’s law books since the 1950s, will trump state law and require gun owners to have a permit until the law expires August 1.
“NOPD officers have been in mandatory training, learning what they can and cannot do so that they don't violate any person's constitutional rights against an illegal search and seizure,” said Chief Kirkpatrick.
“However, as our officers are being educated on the parameters of the new law, we encourage all gun owners to do the same, as there are facets of the law that will be enforced, such as negligent carry.”
Chief Kirkpatrick continues, “Formerly incarcerated felons or those with court orders to not own a gun will not be able to carry a concealed weapon. Persons with alcohol levels above point 0.05 or who are under the influence of drugs will not be able to carry and you will not be able to carry concealed if you are within 1000 feet of any school campus.”
Kirkpatrick adds that gun owners are prohibited from concealed carry at a parade or demonstration where a permit is required or issued by a government entity. Gun owners are also barred from carrying a concealed gun in a restaurant or bar that serves alcohol.
In addition, the NOPD has established a new school in the 8th District to train NOPD officers on how to enforce the gun laws. This school will make it illegal to carry a permitless concealed gun within 1000 feet, like any school. This restriction will apply to the first five blocks of the French Quarter and parts of the upper French Quarter from Canal Street to Toulouse Street, including Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and Chartres Street.
The chief’s words come as the city saw several shootings and homicides over the past week despite the police department touting their success with “Operation Clean House”, where along with the help of federal law enforcement agencies, resulted in 155 arrests and 54 firearms confiscated.
To watch the NOPD’s public service announcement on new gun laws, click here.
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