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Discussions on New Orleans gun restrictions underway

“We all agree the health and vitality of New Orleans is key to the health and vitality of the state,” Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said.

NEW ORLEANS — With concealedlizz carry taking effect in New Orleans next month, state and city leaders are working together to keep the city safe.

“We all agree the health and vitality of New Orleans is key to the health and vitality of the state,” Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said.

On Thursday, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, Attorney General Liz Murrill, and City Council President Helena Moreno met to discuss a proposed gun-free zone in the French Quarter.

“We are all on the same page of the same book,” Williams said.

This comes after city leaders announced a legal loophole to conceal carry last month. It would ban guns in parts of the French Quarter.

The loophole is a vocational-technical school in the 8th District Police Station because, under state law, guns are prohibited within 1,000 feet of schools.

It was an announcement that landed them in hot water with the Attorney General. In an interview with WWL Louisiana last month, she accused the NOPD of avoiding state law and warned of potential legal repercussions.

“It is my job to make sure everyone is staying inside the lines of the law and I don’t think they’re doing that here,” Murrill said.

That disagreement seems to be hot water under the bridge now, with the District Attorney describing the meeting as fruitful.

“It was no heat at all. A very sober conversation about any perceived obstacles or real obstacles,” Williams said

He wasn’t ready to share everything they discussed, but he did say they have plans to move forward with the vo-tech school.

“The plan is to move forward, but to move forward in a way that is supported by the AG and comports with all state and local laws,” Williams said.  

We contacted Attorney General Liz Murrill, and although she wasn’t able to speak with us, she released a statement agreeing that the meeting was productive.

Williams says one priority stretches across party lines, and that’s the safety of the city.

“There is very real commonality that public safety of our residents and visitors is paramount for everyone,” Williams said.

According to Williams, their work is far from over. He says they have plans to meet again within the next 10 days.

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