Omar Bennett
On March 5, 2024, Louisiana's governor signed a bill into law that allows any individual over the age of 18 to carry a firearm concealed on their person in public without a license or permit. This bill was passed with the intention of deterring rising crime in the state, with supporters arguing that it would give law-abiding citizens more options to defend themselves. However, opponents of the bill have expressed concerns about its potential impact on crime rates and public safety, especially in a context where violent crime in Louisiana has already seen an upward trajectory. This raises the question: has crime in Louisiana dropped since the constitutional concealed carry bill was passed?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional concealed carry law passed in Louisiana | March 5, 2024 |
| Governor | Jeff Landry |
| Minimum age to conceal carry | 21 years old |
| Concealed carry without a permit allowed for | Anyone over the age of 18 |
| Concealed carry with a permit allowed for | Residents and members of the military permanently stationed in Louisiana |
| Crime rate in New Orleans | Homicide rate of 70 per 100,000 people in 2022 |
| Crime rate trend | Violent crimes have dropped since 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Concealed carry laws in Louisiana
On March 5, 2024, Louisiana's governor signed a bill into law that allows individuals aged 18 and over, who can legally possess firearms, to carry a firearm concealed on their person in public without a license or permit. Prior to this, Louisiana law required concealed weapon holders to apply for a permit, pass a background check, and obtain firearms safety training.
Louisiana's permitting system remains in place, and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections must issue a concealed handgun permit if the applicant meets certain qualifications, including being a Louisiana resident. Firearm safety training must include instruction in child access prevention, a demonstration of shooting proficiency, and safe handling of a handgun.
In 2018, Louisiana enacted a law requiring courts to suspend the concealed carry permits of certain domestic violence offenders and order them to transfer their firearms to law enforcement. This law applied to anyone against whom a domestic violence protective order that prohibits firearm possession has been issued, as well as anyone convicted of specified domestic violence offenses, including domestic abuse battery and specified offenses of battery of a dating partner.
Louisiana also has laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons in certain locations, including law enforcement offices, detention facilities, courthouses, polling places, and municipal buildings. The state also prohibits the negligent carrying of a concealed handgun, which includes carrying a handgun when it is foreseeable that it may discharge.
Louisiana honors permits issued by states that recognize Louisiana permits, and the state offers both resident and non-resident permits. Law enforcement officers and retired law enforcement officers may carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the state, with some exceptions.
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Crime rates in Louisiana
To combat rising crime rates, Louisiana lawmakers have passed several anti-crime bills, including Senate Bill No. 1, also known as the "Constitutional Carry" legislation. This bill allows individuals over the age of 18 to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, as long as they are not legally prohibited from owning a firearm. The bill's proponents argue that it will deter crime by empowering law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. However, critics worry that it may contribute to the state's already high crime rates.
Louisiana's previous concealed carry laws required individuals to apply for a permit, pass a background check, and undergo firearms safety training. The new law removes these requirements, making it easier for eligible individuals to carry concealed firearms. Additionally, Louisiana has enacted laws prohibiting individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses from obtaining concealed carry permits, demonstrating a commitment to keeping firearms out of the wrong hands.
While the impact of the "Constitutional Carry" legislation on crime rates is yet to be determined, Louisiana's permitting system remains in place. The state continues to honour permits issued by states that recognise Louisiana permits, and residents must obtain a Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to carry within the state. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections is responsible for processing concealed weapons permits, and applicants must meet specific qualifications, including residency and firearms training requirements.
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Gun laws in Louisiana
Louisiana has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the United States. The state does not prohibit the open carry of firearms in public, and it is legal for anyone over the age of 18 who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a gun in public without a permit. Some areas are off-limits, including parades and bars.
Louisiana's gun laws include the following:
- Law enforcement and family members can petition for a court order to prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns.
- Firearms must be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances.
- The purchase of certain assault-style weapons, originally designed for military use, is prohibited.
- Devices that alter the trigger mechanisms of semi-automatic pistols and rifles are prohibited.
- New handgun models sold in the state must have microstamping technology and childproofing features.
- Concealed carry is prohibited for people with assault or other violent misdemeanour convictions, or with felony convictions.
- Domestic abusers are barred from having guns while subject to short-term emergency orders.
- People who have been involuntarily committed or found to be a danger to themselves or others are barred from gun possession.
- Gun sales cannot proceed while a background check is ongoing.
- Gun owners must notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen.
In 2018, Louisiana enacted a law requiring courts to suspend the concealed carry permits of certain domestic violence offenders and order them to transfer their firearms to law enforcement. The same law made it unlawful to carry concealed weapons while subject to a protective order that prohibits firearm possession.
In 2024, Louisiana repealed its concealed carry permit requirement, allowing people to carry loaded firearms in public without a background check or training. This law was passed to deter rising crime, with the idea that law-abiding citizens should be able to defend themselves. However, it is not clear whether this has had the desired effect, as Louisiana experiences one of the highest rates of gun deaths and gun homicides in the country.
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The impact of constitutional concealed carry on public safety
On March 5, 2024, Louisiana's governor enacted a law that allows individuals aged 18 or over to carry a firearm concealed on their person in public without a license or permit, as long as they are not prohibited by law from owning a firearm. This law was passed with the intention of deterring rising crime and giving law-abiding citizens more options to defend themselves and their property.
Prior to this, Louisiana required concealed weapon holders to apply for a permit, pass a background check, and obtain firearms safety training. The new law removes these requirements, but Louisiana continues to prohibit the "negligent carrying of a concealed handgun," which includes carrying a concealed handgun with criminal negligence or when it is foreseeable that the handgun may discharge.
The impact of this law on public safety is complex. On the one hand, supporters of the law argue that it puts law-abiding citizens on equal footing with criminals who already carry concealed firearms without regard for the law. They believe that allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons will have a preventive effect on violent crime. For example, violent crime skyrocketed in New Orleans in 2022, with a homicide rate of 70 per 100,000 people, but violent crimes have since dropped in the city.
On the other hand, opponents of the law argue that it may have unintended consequences. They point out that lowering the age requirement for carrying a concealed weapon may result in older criminals recruiting minors for criminal activity, as the consequences for minors are less severe. This could potentially fast-track teenagers into a life of crime. Additionally, there are concerns that the law may not adequately address the complex issue of gun violence in Louisiana.
It is important to note that Louisiana has a history of both open carry and concealed carry laws. Open carry refers to the unconcealed carry of a sidearm by residents legally allowed to own a firearm. While open carry laws have a longer history, some argue that concealed carry may have a greater preventive effect on violent crime. This is because an individual carrying a weapon openly may be more likely to be targeted in a shooting or other violent event, whereas a concealed carrier may have an element of surprise.
In conclusion, the impact of constitutional concealed carry on public safety in Louisiana is multifaceted. While the law was enacted with the intention of deterring crime and empowering law-abiding citizens, it has also raised concerns about potential negative consequences, particularly regarding the involvement of minors in criminal activity. The effectiveness of this law in reducing violent crime remains to be seen, and it is likely that its impact will be closely monitored and evaluated over time.
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Louisiana's efforts to reduce violent crime
Louisiana has taken several steps to reduce violent crime in the state. In 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law allowing individuals over the age of 18 to carry a firearm in public without a license or permit, provided they are legally allowed to possess firearms. This bill was intended to deter crime and give law-abiding citizens more options to defend themselves. However, it is worth noting that this bill removed the previous requirements of a background check and firearms safety training.
Louisiana has also enacted laws to prohibit domestic violence offenders from carrying concealed weapons. For example, in 2014, a law was passed to prohibit anyone convicted of "domestic abuse battery" from carrying a concealed weapon if they had completed their sentence, probation, or parole within the last ten years. In 2018, this was expanded to include additional domestic violence convictions, such as domestic abuse aggravated assault.
The state has also addressed the issue of gun possession by individuals with a history of violent behavior. There is a presumption of violent behavior if an applicant has been arrested or charged with a "crime of violence" on multiple occasions within the last ten years. Additionally, Louisiana honors permits issued by states that recognize Louisiana permits, and residents must have a Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to carry within the state.
While some argue that these measures are effective in reducing violent crime, others disagree. Some believe that lowering the age requirement for gun possession has resulted in older criminals recruiting minors for criminal activity, leading to more teenagers entering a life of crime. Despite these concerns, Louisiana continues to focus on implementing tough-on-crime policies to drive down violent crime rates in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The constitutional concealed carry law in Louisiana, also known as Senate Bill 1, allows any individual aged 18 or over, who may legally possess firearms, to carry a firearm concealed on their person in public without a license or permit.
The purpose of the law was to deter rising crime and to give law-abiding citizens more options to defend themselves and their property.
Violent crime in New Orleans, Louisiana's top tourist city, dropped after the passing of the law. However, it is unclear whether this drop in crime is directly attributable to the constitutional concealed carry law.
Prior to the constitutional concealed carry law, Louisiana required individuals to apply for a permit, pass a background check, and obtain firearms safety training.
Some areas in Louisiana are off-limits for carrying a concealed weapon, including parades and bars. Additionally, Louisiana prohibits the "negligent carrying of a concealed handgun," which includes carrying a concealed handgun when it is foreseeable that the handgun may discharge.
