NEW ORLEANS — As a bill to allow permit-less concealed carry statewide heads to the governor's desk for a signature, New Orleans leaders raised concerns Friday about its potential impact on local crime.
The law comes after a special session on crime that Gov, Jeff Landry called to order in February and came to a speedy conclusion on Thursday, with lawmakers passing 19 bills favored by the governor.
In addition to SB1, which allows for concealed carry without a permit, the crime session also included bills to end parole and expand the death penalty.
In a press conference on Friday, Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, called SB1, "an emotional reaction," and a law that was, "not a result of critical thinking."
"Just during Mardi Gras, we took 111 arrests associated with guns off of the parade routes," Kirkpatrick said. "If that bill had been in effect three weeks ago, we would be returning 56 of those guns back."
Mayor Cantrell agreed with Chief Kirkpatrick's assessment on the bill.
"I'm very much concerned," Cantrell said. "And I do not at all believe that this makes our city and our people safe"
However, Republican legislators, whose SB1 passed 76-28 on Wednesday, have said that they believe the permit-less carry bill will help fight crime.
"People are getting raped, murdered, carjacked and assaulted," State Rep. Mike Johnson said on Wednesday before voting in favor of the permit-less carry law. "This bill ... gives the citizens of Louisiana the right to defend themselves."
City leaders said they hope that after Gov. Landry signs the bill, legislators will at least agree to exempt the entertainment district of New Orleans.
Councilwoman Helena Moreno said she believes a proposed House bill might offer some pushback against permit-less concealed carry. According to Moreno, State Rep. Alonzo Knox, whose district includes The French Quarter, plans to author a bill to limit the crime session law's application to his district.
"It's a carveout of what we are calling a major entertainment district, these are the areas which have the largest crowds," Moreno said. "What the legislation does, is it puts it under a firearm-free zone, so in public places there would not be firearms allowed."
Moreno said she has spoken to Republican legislators privately, who said they would support the bill.
"This may not be the perfect solution, I'll be honest," Moreno said. "But this is just a step toward finding what that solution is."
If Landry signs SB1, the law will go into effect on July 4.