A bill that would allow the carrying of concealed firearms without a permit passed the Louisiana Senate this week on a vote of 27-11 in spite of public safety concerns raised by law enforcement.
The vote on Senate Bill 118, authored by Sen. Jay Morris (R-Monroe), took place after Gov. John Bel Edwards pledged that he would veto the measure.
Under current law, it’s a crime in the state to carry a concealed firearm, although the law provides an exception if a gun owner obtains a concealed handgun permit from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. SB 118 provides an exception to this permit requirement for people 21 years or older who are not otherwise barred from possessing a firearm.
The bill also extends the provisions of current law that prohibit people from carrying a concealed firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Louisiana Shooting Association and other gun rights groups support the changes to the existing law, which requires gun owners to obtain a permit through the Louisiana State Police if they want to carry a concealed firearm. Permit requirements include training, fingerprinting and paying a fee.
The Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police is among the law enforcement groups opposing SB 118. The organization recognizes the right of citizens to bear arms but points out that concealed weapons create a risk to police officers and the public at large, according to Donovan Livaccari, the group’s general counsel.
“There are Louisianans who have circumstances that warrant carrying concealed weapons,” Livaccari told the Louisiana Record in an email. “The state of Louisiana compensates for those individuals with licensing requirements. In order to meet those licensing requirements, candidates are required to meet minimum standards and participate in recognized training curricula.”
One can debate whether the current concealed carry requirements are adequate, but the organization supports keeping such rules on the books, he said.
“The training and other minimum standards serve to mitigate the risk involved with carrying concealed handguns,” Livaccari said.
Opponents argue that the current permitting requirements violate their Second Amendment rights and create financial burdens. A lifetime concealed carry permit for those under 65 carries a fee of $500, according to the Louisiana State Police website.