Louisiana: House Committee to Hear Several Gun Bills on June 1

On Wednesday, June 1, the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice will consider a number of bills of interest to Louisiana’s law-abiding gun owners.  The committee will consider several pro-gun bills, including some that would improve the current permitting system, while another would prohibit institutions of higher learning from banning permit holders from carrying a firearm for self-defense.  The committee will also consider a full slate of anti-gun bills that would create a number of problems for all gun owners in Louisiana. For more information on all of these bills please see below.

Pro-gun:

House Bill 11, introduced by state Representative Thomas McVea (R-62), would remove the requirement that Louisianans seek additional training upon the expiration of their concealed handgun permits.

House Bill 413, introduced by state Representative Ernest Wooton (I-105), removes the ban on the possession of concealed handguns by Concealed Handgun Permittees (CHPs) on the campuses of public or private institutions of higher education.

House Bill 489, introduced by state Representative Alan Seabaugh (R-5), removes the requirement that an individual must wait six months after becoming a resident to apply for a concealed handgun permit.

Anti-gun:

House Bill 8, introduced by state Representative Juan LaFonta (D-96), would create a misdemeanor offense for intentionally selling ammunition without verifying that the serial number is still intact on "the firearm in which the ammunition will be used."  This legislation is a burden to lawful firearm ownership and unworkable. 

For example, if you wanted to purchase ammunition for hunting deer, turkey, and rabbits during a stop at the local gun shop, you would have to show your deer rifle, shotguns or handguns—otherwise you could not purchase ammunition.  If you were on your way to duck camp and your friend calls and asks you to pick up more shells for the whole crew, this legislation would prohibit it.  This legislation also poses a problem for Louisianans with firearms that were purchased before 1968, as serial numbers were not federally required.

House Bill 316, introduced by state Representative Wesley Bishop (D-101), would expand the use of "technical," non-violent carry offenses (which in some states are punishable by minor fines) to serve as predicates for “repeat offender” enhancements for firearm-related offenses that could result in a loss of a constitutional right (lifetime firearm disqualification) and lengthy terms of imprisonment.

For example, an individual may inadvertently carry into a prohibited building in Kansas.  The associated penalty is a $50 fine.  If the same individual then moved to Louisiana and accidentally carried into a prohibited restaurant—given the confusion with the law regarding restaurants and bars—and was subsequently convicted, under the proposed bill, he or she—because of the minor Kansas offense—would face a possible felony conviction. 

Please contact members of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and respectfully urge them to SUPPORT: HB 11, HB 413 and HB 489, and to OPPOSE: HB 8 and HB 316.

House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice:

Representative Ernest D. Wooton (I-105), Chairman
(504)393-5649
[email protected]

Representative Damon J. Baldone (D-53), Vice Chairman
(985)876-8872
[email protected]

Representative Roy A. Burrell (D-2)
(318)676-7137
[email protected] 

Representative Mickey James Guillory (D-41)
(337)457-0194
[email protected]

Representative Lowell C. Hazel (R-27)
(318)767-6082
[email protected]

Representative Dalton W. Honoré (D-63)
(225)771-5674
[email protected] 

Representative Frank A. Howard (R-24)
(318)256-4135
[email protected]

Representative Walt Leger, III (D-91)
(504)556-9970
[email protected]

Representative Joseph P. Lopinto III (R-80)
(504)456-3806
[email protected]

Representative Helena N. Moreno (D-93)
(504)568-2740
[email protected] 

Representative Barbara M. Norton (D-3)
(318)632-5887
[email protected]

Representative Gary L. Smith, Jr. (D-56)
(985)764-9122
[email protected]

Representative Charmaine Marchand Stiaes (D-99)
(504)942-7835
[email protected]

Representative Ricky J. Templet (R-85)
(504)361-6013
[email protected] 

Representative Ledricka Johnson Thierry (D-40)
(337)948-0369
[email protected] 

Representative Mack A. "Bodi" White, Jr. (R-64)
(225)791-2199
[email protected]