NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana will soon allow law-abiding adults to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, training, or background check.
It was a key part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s tough on crime agenda, approved by lawmakers during the recently wrapped special legislative session.
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell is against it.
“The greatest concern with the legislation is that there will be more guns on the streets, in our city, people coming into our city with weapons and the like,” Cantrell said.
Friday, city leaders expressed strong opposition to the bill that will soon be signed into law.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick warns it will make things more difficult for police.
“Let’s say that a citizen who is carrying a gun, gets involved in an event and pulls his or her gun out,” Kirkpatrick said. “Our officers who are responding to that scene, when they arrive they have no idea who the good guy is and who the bad guy is. All that they’re going to see is a gun.”
City Council President Helena Moreno talked about a proposal by State Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, that would exempt a large swath of the city from permitless carry.
The areas include the city’s downtown, French Quarter, and the area surrounding the convention center.
“These are the areas that have the largest crowds,” Moreno said. “What the legislation does is, it puts it under a firearm free zone. So, in public spaces there would not be firearms allowed.”
The Louisiana Sheriffs Association did not take a position on the bill.
Area sheriffs have mixed feelings.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that it will work out,” St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said. “I do believe in the right of citizens to carry arms; I just worry about the right of criminals to carry arms. Hopefully, it will work out for the best.”
“Whatever the governor wants, we support that,” St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith said. “But it is concerning not only us, but to business owners and people in our area. I think it is good, but we would like to see some additional training.”
“I think you will see good people that get themselves in trouble because they really haven’t gone through the training that we do in law enforcement on an everyday basis,” Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said.
Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges admits permitless carry presents some challenges.
“We’re confident that we’re going to be able to work within those new laws and still be able to effectively combat violent crime in certain areas that it presents, as well as to keep everyone safe in Louisiana,” Hodges said.
Gov. Landry is expected to sign the concealed carry bill into law.
It takes effect July 4.
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