2022 Louisiana Bills: Update

Original article: April 22, 2022
Updated: May 5, 2022
Updated: May 18, 2022
Updated: May 24, 2022
Updated: July 1, 2022

The following bills with important Second Amendment implications are currently working their way through the Louisiana Legislature. Bills that are “Involuntarily deferred in committee” were defeated in the respective House or Senate Committee. Bills that are “Reported favorably” were approved in committee and sent to the House or Senate for consideration by floor vote. Bills that are “Reported with amendments” were approved in committee with amendments and sent to the House or Senate for consideration by floor vote.

Bills Supported by LSA

  • HB37 (Constitutional Carry) by Rep. Danny McCormick (R, Oil City) was reported with amendments (10-3) by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of yeas 64, nays 27. The bill was ordered to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary C and was reported favorably out of committee. The bill was then sent to Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee where it was amended to remove the constitutional carry language and replace it with language allowing teachers to carry in schools. The bill was never considered on the Senate floor and died.
  • HB43 (2nd Amendment Sanctuary State) by Rep. Larry Frieman (R, Abita Springs) was reported favorably (10-1) by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of  yeas 73, nays 25. The bill was ordered to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary B and reported favorably out of committee without objection.
  • Representative Frieman was unable to find a Senate sponsor for action on the floor and the bill died.
  • HB422 by Rep. John Stefanski (R, Crowley) was reported favorably (9-0) by the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of yeas 101, nays 0. The bill was ordered to the Senate for consideration and was passed. This bill provides for the taking of deer by use of pre-charged pneumatic devices (Air Guns). This will bring Louisiana law into step with modern air gun technology and the laws of other states. Bill was signed into law as Act 215.
  • HB463 by Rep. Alan Seabaugh (R, Shreveport) was reported with amendments (11-0) by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. The bill was approved by the House or Representatives by a vote of yeas 92, nays 2 and and was passed favorably in Senate Committee on Judiciary C. The bill will now be considered by the full Senate. This bill removes the prohibition of the concealed carrying of switchblades by law enforcement officers and concealed carry permit holders. It will treat switchblades the same as other knives. Bill passed the Senate without opposition and was signed into law as Act 587.
  • HB483 by Rep. C. Travis Johnson (D, Vidalia) was reported with amendments (7-0) by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of yeas 86, nays 0. The bill was ordered to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary B and reported favorably on a vote of yeas 4, nays 2. This bill shortens the time period for the restoration of gun rights of eligible convicted felons from 10 years to 5 years. The bill failed to pass the full Senate.
  • HB635 by Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn (R, Hornbeck) is the same as HB422. It is pending a hearing at the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
  • HB868 by Rep. Blake Miguez (R, Erath) was reported favorably (12-0) by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. The bill was approved by the House or Representatives by a vote of yeas 100, nays 0. The bill was ordered to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary B and was reported favorably without objection. This bill would direct the State Police to provide a 2-hour online handgun education course at no cost to Louisiana residents. The course would be completely optional and would not be required for obtaining a concealed handgun permit. The bill passed the full Senate and was signed into law as Act 518.
  • HB897 by Rep. Charles Owen (R, Rosepine) is pending in the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. This bill would allow members of the Armed Forces of the US stationed in Louisiana on Active or Reserve Duty to obtain a concealed handgun permit. The bill died in Committee.
  • SB143 (Constitutional Carry for Active Duty and Veterans) by Sen. Jay Morris (R, West Monroe) was signed into law as Act 680. This law will allow a person who is a reserve or active-duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces; a member of the Louisiana National Guard or the Louisiana Air National Guard; or a former member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Louisiana National Guard, or the Louisiana Air National Guard who has been honorably discharged from service to carry a firearm concealed without a permit.

Bills Opposed by LSA

  • HB101 by Rep. Danny McCormick (R, Oil City) was presented to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee but then was voluntarily deferred by the Author with the right to bring it to the committee on a future date. This bill changes the definition of justifiable homicide to include a homicide committed against a person threatening property damage during a riot. It is a great expansion of the justifiable homicide statute that previously has required a threat of death or great bodily harm. LSA believes that this expansion is unwarranted and will cause significant problems.
  • HB209 by Rep. Mandle Landry (D, New Orleans) was involuntarily deferred in the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. This bill was designed to remove the preemption protections under current laws. It would have allowed the City of New Orleans to make their own firearms laws.
  • HB585 by Rep. Aimee Freeman (D, New Orleans)  was reported with amendments (8-0) by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee and referred the House of Representatives for consideration. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of yeas 80, nays 11.  The bill has been ordered to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary B. This bill provides for reporting certain firearm data to the La. Commission on Law Enforcement. Passed the full Senate and was signed by Governor as Act 484.
  • HB949 by Rep. Tammy Phelps (D, Shreveport) is pending in the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. Under current law, a juvenile (defined as a person less than 18 years of age) may not knowingly posses a handgun on their person. The proposed law removes the requirement that the handgun be possessed on the offender’s person for the offense to apply. Under the proposed law, it would be illegal for a juvenile to be in a vehicle with a handgun, even if that juvenile does not know the handgun is in the vehicle. The bill died in Committee.
  • SB287 by Sen. Louie Bernard (R, Natchitoches) was voluntarily defferred in the Senate Judiciary C Committee. This bill provides for lifetime concealed handgun permits and reduces the permit fee. While this bill may sound good, it is problematic as it will adversely affect the reciprocity with other states and the ability to use a CHP to purchase a firearm.
  • SB327 (Red Flag Law) by Sen. Gary Carter (D, New Orleans) is pending in the Senate Judiciary C Committee. The bill was involuntarily deferred by the committee. This bill provides for the seizure of firearms from persons who pose a risk of imminent injury to self or others. This is a so called “Red Flag” bill. It has issues concerning due process and is unnecessary because existing law provides sufficient protection.

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Competitive shooter, hunter, fisherman, pilot, vizsla servant, father, son, scientist, and lover of Civil Rights.

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