Louisiana: Report on House Committee Action in Baton Rouge

Yesterday, April 27, House Bill 69 was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor, state Representative John Bagneris (D-New Orleans).  The bill would create the crime of unlawfully transferring or selling firearms from or by a licensed dealer without a 10-day waiting period from purchase to delivery.  While exceptions are made for concealed carry license holders and law enforcement in the legislation, the waiting period would apply to all other firearms transfers.  The author could ask for the bill to be heard at a later date; your NRA-ILA will keep you posted on any future action scheduled for this restrictive measure.

The House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice involuntarily deferred House Bill 101, sponsored by state Representative Barbara Norton (D-Shreveport), effectively killing the measure.  It would have created the offense of operating a motion picture theater without a metal detector or other electronic screening process for detecting (and ostensibly prohibiting) firearms carried by patrons.  Please thank the following committee members who voted against this misguided bill:

Rep. Tony Bacala ([email protected])
Rep. Stephen Dwight ([email protected])
Rep. Chris Hazel ([email protected])
Rep. Valarie Hodges ([email protected])
Rep. Frankie Howard ([email protected])
Rep. Steve Pylant ([email protected])

Additionally, the committee debated, but ultimately did not take action on, an NRA supported substitute for House Bill 176, sponsored by state Representative Valarie Hodges (R-Denham Springs).  The intent of the bill is to expedite the process for obtaining a concealed handgun permit by individuals who have had a protective order issued by the courts against an abuser. 

NRA-ILA will continue to work with committee members to address some of the questions and issues raised during debate, and we expect that the measure may be up for consideration again at the committee's hearing next Wednesday.  We will keep you posted!  In the meantime, please click the above ‘Take Action” button to continue contacting committee members and urging them to support HB 176!