The House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice is scheduled to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 39 tomorrow, in committee room 6 at 9:30 a.m. This legislation passed unanimously in the state Senate two weeks ago. Sponsored by state Senators Eric LaFleur (D-28) and Neil Riser (R-32), SB 39 would clarify that Louisianans may purchase a long gun in any state, and allow a citizen of any other state to purchase a long gun in Louisiana, so long as both states allow such purchases.
SB 39 would remove a provision that became obsolete with the passage of the federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) in 1986. Originally, the federal Gun Control Act banned interstate sales of firearms but contained an exception for long gun transactions occurring between federally licensed dealers (FFLs) and residents of contiguous states. Such sales could occur, moreover, only if “the purchaser’s State of residence permit[ted] such sale or delivery by law.” Thus, states around the country passed provisions specifically allowing their residents to buy long guns from FFLs in contiguous states.
FOPA, however, removed both the contiguous states limitation and the requirement that the purchaser’s state of residence specifically authorize the purchase of long guns. Now, interstate sales of rifles and shotguns can occur between FFLs and residents of any state, as long as “the sale, delivery, and receipt fully comply with the legal conditions of sale in both such States.” Thus, the relevant question isn’t whether a state specifically permits interstate long gun sales, but whether the state has enacted any laws that would prevent them. The NRA supports repealing this antiquated contiguous state provision because it is unnecessary, the “contiguous state” language can be misleading, and because such provisions create the false impression that the right to acquire arms is merely a privilege granted by the state, not a right that some states have taken away from their citizens. In addition, purchasers of any firearm from any gun dealer in every state are subject to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Please contact members of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice today and respectfully urge them to support SB 39.
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]
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