Louisiana: State Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

Several Pro-Second Amendment Measures Sent to Governor Jindal for his Expected Signature

Thursday marked the end of what was primarily a budget session for the Louisiana Legislature.  State lawmakers could file up to five non-fiscal related measures each, and your NRA-ILA worked with a number of them to advance pro-Second Amendment bills through the legislative process. 

House Bill 446, sponsored by state Representative Blake Miguez (R-New Iberia), authorizes firearm accident prevention and safety instruction based on NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program for elementary school students.  The program's lifesaving message "If you see a gun:  Stop!  Don’t Touch.  Run away. Tell a grown up" will now reach even more Louisiana children thanks to passage of this important legislation.  Upon the governor's signature, the measure will take effect on August 1, in time for the upcoming school year.  Please email Rep. Miguez and thank him for his work on HB 446 this session.

Current Louisiana law allows parishes to use their zoning authority to regulate hunting and shooting in "heavily populated areas.”  Senate Bill 133, sponsored by state Senator Barrow Peacock (R-Shreveport), specifically excludes from the definition of "heavily populated area" any tract of land that is greater than 5 acres and which includes no more than one single-family residence on the parcel or tract.  Lack of available land on which to hunt is a serious challenge that sportsmen are facing in Louisiana and across the country.  SB 133 addresses this challenge while balancing concerns about safety in the affected areas.  This bill will take effect on August 1, once signed into law.  Take a moment to email Sen. Peacock a note to let him know you appreciate his efforts on this legislation.

Existing statutes permit bowhunters to carry pistols no larger than .22 caliber with snake shot or rat shot ammunition while in the field.  Senate Bill 212, sponsored by state Senator Rick Ward (R-Port Allen), would allow bowhunters to carry any caliber firearm with them for protection.  The new law will become effective upon the governor's signature.  Send Sen. Ward a short message thanking him for sponsoring SB 212 and for his work on behalf of Louisiana sportsmen.

Also, Louisiana's Second Amendment sales tax holiday was ultimately spared from a one-year suspension as lawmakers grappled with a $1.6 billion budget shortfall.  The annual exemption from state and local sales taxes on individual purchases of firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies will take place Friday, September 4, through Sunday, September 6.  Please thank Senate Committee on Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Chairman Neil Riser (R-Columbia) for standing up for this benefit to gun owners and sportsmen, which stimulates additional consumer spending and generates important economic activity for the state.

Thank you to the sponsors and legislative supporters of these measures -- and to the officers and members of NRA's official state affiliate, the Louisiana Shooting Association -- for providing key coverage during legislative committee hearings throughout the session.  For more information on LSA, visit www.louisianashooting.com.