BATON ROUGE, La. — Anyone 18 and older who is not currently prohibited from carrying a gun will soon be able to walk down Canal Street in New Orleans and just about everywhere else in Louisiana with a concealed handgun without a permit, training, or background check.
Wednesday, Rep. Mike Johnson, a Republican from Pineville in the central part of the state, presented the Senate passed bill on the House floor.
“This simply says you don’t have to wear it on your hip, you can wear it under your coat,” Johnson said. “That’s all this law does.”
New Orleans area lawmakers expressed concern that the new law would lead to an increase in shootings and murders.
“Now you’re going to have instances where you have large crowds of people on narrow Bourbon Street with folks carrying concealed weapons,” Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, said.
"Most of the people are worried, and are you worried that fist fights may turn into gunfights, Rep. Joe Stagni, R-Kenner, asked. “Does that concern you?”
“Has there been any thought process to the culture that we’re going to recreate as it pertains to protection and gun violence,” Rep. Rodney Lyons, D-Harvey, asked.
Johnson argued the U.S. Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms and that current permitting requirements to carry a concealed weapon are unconstitutional.
“People are getting raped, murdered, carjacked, assaulted and in most cases, those people are defenseless,” Johnson said. “You vote for this bill today and give the citizens of Louisiana the right to defend themselves.”
Supporters fought off amendments to the bill, including one by Rep. Mandy Landry, D-New Orleans, that would have clarified it is illegal to carry a gun within 1000 feet of a parade route.
The final vote was 75 for and 28 against, with two members absent.
"This kind of law puts a lot of fear into my constituents,” Rep. Aimie Freeman, D-New Orleans said.
“It prioritizes public safety by giving the citizens of Louisiana their constitutional right to protect themselves,” Johnson said.
The bill is now on its way to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk.
If he signs it into law as expected, it will take effect on July 4.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto spoke about the laws passed on WWL radio Wednesday.
“What I don’t like about it, our state is very diverse, NOPD has a very different problem on Bourbon Street then another parish may have in other parts of the state,” Lopinto said.
He says while the law may not be the end of the world, there could be instances where a lack of training could lead to violence.
“Something is going to happen where you have a good person that’s going to be put in a bad situation that probably shouldn’t have had a gun to begin with,” Lopinto said.
Other states allowing concealed carry include Louisiana's neighbors Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Read the House's final passage of the bill below:
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