This week, in an effort to improve her bill’s chances for passage, Senator Ann Duplessis (D-New Orleans) managed to get SB 319 re-referred to the Senate Judiciary C Committee, of which she is a sitting member (see below).

As you’ll recall from the alert you received last week, SB 319 is a much broader state-version of the federal gun ban that sunset last year.   It reduces the number of “attachments” required to be classified as a so-called “assault weapon” from two to one.  It would require anyone wishing to purchase, possess or transport any semi-automatic firearms covered by the ban, and any ammunition used in those firearms, to obtain a $100 permit every two years from the State Police.  Only individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of Louisiana’s Right To Carry law would be issued a permit – qualifications that are much more stringent than those to possess a firearm under federal law.  And the State Police could deny a permit for a variety of reasons – including “for good cause.”

Licensed firearms dealers would be prohibited from maintaining an inventory of any firearms designated as so-called “assault weapons.”  Dealers could only sell these firearms, ammunition or parts to individuals who have been issued the special permit required under the bill.  They would be required to maintain a separate registry of any transactions involving these firearms, ammunition or parts, and they must make records of these transactions available upon the request of any law enforcement officer for any reason.  A $50 tax would be imposed on any order of ammunition if the ammunition could be used in a so-called “assault weapon.”

 IT IS NOW CRITICAL THAT YOU CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY C COMMITTEE AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE SB 319. 

Senate Judiciary C Committee

Senator Joel Chaisson, Chairman (D-Destrehan)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (985) 764-9911

[email protected]

Senator Lydia Jackson, Vice-Chair (D-Shreveport)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (318) 676-7029

[email protected]

Senator Sharon Weston Broome (D-Baton Rouge)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (225) 359-9352

[email protected]

Senator Ann Duplessis (D-New Orleans)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (504) 243-7795

[email protected]

Senator Mike Michot (R-Lafayette)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (337) 262-1332

[email protected]

Senator Willie Mount (D-Lake Charles)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (337) 491-2016

[email protected]

Senator Tom Schedler (R-Mandeville)

Capitol Office (225) 342-2040

District Office (985) 727-7949

[email protected]