Update on Firearms Related Legislation for 2021

As of April 28, 2021, the most up-to-date information on the firearms related legislation proposed in 2021 is summarized below.

  • SB118 Sen. John “Jay” Morris (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to the concealed carrying of firearms by extending the prohibition from carrying and concealing a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance to non-permitted but otherwise legal carriers and extends the notification requirement to police officers to non-permitted but otherwise legal carriers
    • Reported Favorably by the Senate Committee on Judiciary C
    • Passed by the Full Senate on a vote of 26 Yeas to 11 Nays; ordered re-engrossed and sent to the House.
  • SB115 Sen. Barrow Peacock (R)- [LSA has No Postition] Prohibits possession of firearms, ammunition, or electric weapons or devices by certain felons
    • Reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Judiciary C
  • HB48 Rep. Blake Miguez (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to the requirements for concealed handgun permit safety and training course applicants and instructors
    • Reported Favorably by the House Administration of Criminal Justice with no opposition
  • HB596 Rep. Bryan Fontenot (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to the concealed carrying of firearms; not “true” Constitutional Carry as currently written, it is an advancement for the right to keep and bear arms (i.e., it’s not what we want, but its better than what we have). The LSA would like to see this bill amended.
    • Reported Favorably by the House Administration of Criminal Justice on a vote of 8 Yeas to 4 Nays
  • HB118 Rep. Larry Frieman (R)- [Supported by LSA] Firearms Protection Act making Louisiana a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State, to prevent federal regulation from infringing on a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms.
    • Reported Favorably by the House Administration of Criminal Justice on a vote of 8 Yeas to 4 Nays
  • HB16 Rep. Danny McCormick (R)- [Supported by LSA] Constitutional Carry,  legalizes Concealed Carry for the same law-abiding citizens who can legally Open Carry in Louisiana. The Concealed Handgun License will remain in tact as an option for those who wish to seek reciprocity in other states.
    • Involuntarily deferred by the House Administration of Criminal Justice on a vote of 4 Yeas to 8 Nays
  • HB353 Rep. Mandie Landry (D) [Opposed by LSA] Prohibits the private transfer of firearms between lawful individuals without first obtaining a background check
    • Voluntarily deferred by the Author
  • HB124 Rep. Paul Hollis (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides an exception to certain offenses of illegal carrying of weapons for persons with a concealed handgun permit
    • Reported Favorably by the House Administration of Criminal Justice with no opposition

The following bills have not been considered as of this date.

  • HB52 Rep. Debbie Villio (R)- [LSA has No Position] (Constitutional Amendment) Adds aggravated battery committed with a firearm to the list of crimes for which special juvenile procedures are not required
    • Withdrawn prior to introduction
  • HB326 Rep. Tammy Phelps (D) [Opposed by LSA] Removes the requirement that the handgun be possessed on the offender’s person in order for illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile to apply
    • Referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
  • HB597 Rep. Blake Miguez (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to prohibition on certain governmental entity contracts with companies that discriminate against firearm and ammunition industries
    • Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Passing of LSA Life Member, Mary Elizabeth Norckauer

LSA Life Member H.R. “Butch” Norckauer recently informed the LSA of the passing of his aunt, Mary Elizabeth Norckauer on April 2nd at 96.  She was a LIfe Member of the LSA and a Member of the NRA.  Among her many athletic skills, several decades ago she was an active competitive shooter. Largely a pistol shooter she made the United States team and earned international medals, thus earning the title of Internationally Distinguished Shooter. As an assistant professor at LSU, she taught marksmanship including rifle, pistol and shotgun shooting. Her obituary can be read below and a news video can be seen here.

Mary Elizabeth Briggs Norckauer, a native and resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on April 2, 2021 at the age of 96. To her friends and family she was “Pud.” Mary Elizabeth had an interesting life, which touched many people and activities. She primarily considered herself an athlete and never married. She attended Dufrocq Elementary School, and graduated from both Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana State University with a Masters Degree. After college and the war she played for the Grand Rapids Chicks in the Women’s Professional Baseball League. During her first teaching assignment in Port Arthur, TX, she learned to ice skate. While Holiday on Ice was touring in Houston, TX, she auditioned and was hired by them. For 10 years she went on to skate and choreograph all around the world before coming home to Baton Rouge. On her return she took a teaching position at Louisiana State University where she taught a wide variety of sports. For over three decades she taught everything from dance to skating to shooting (archery, rifle, pistol & shotgun) to fencing and survival, to name a few. She was the founder of the LSU Golden Girls and choreographed them for most of their first decade. During these years her personal shooting accomplishments placed her on the United States of America Shooting Team where she traveled internationally and earned the rank of Internationally Distinguished Shooter. In her senior years she focused on track and field and not only did she win, but she set many age group National and World Records in running, jumping and throwing events. She also participated in not so athletic activities like the Baton Rouge Little Theater. And, she supported many philanthropic activities. Whatever she focused on she practiced and trained to be the best. She was a great instructor, athlete, aunt and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents William Henry and Vida Gertrude McAtee Norckauer, and her brother Heber Regal Norckauer (Joyce). She is survived by her niece Christine Ann Norckauer Carroza (John) and nephews William Henry “Bill” Norckauer and Heber Regal “Butch” Norckauer, Jr. (Sheila) and their numerous children and grandchildren.  Mary Elizabeth donated to a wide range of charities and the family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her name to your charity of choice.

Firearms Related Legislation for 2021

Here is a list of firearms related legislation proposed in Louisiana for the 2021 Legislative Session.

  • HB16 Rep. Danny McCormick (R)- [Supported by LSA] Constitutional Carry,  legalizes Concealed Carry for the same law-abiding citizens who can legally Open Carry in Louisiana. The Concealed Handgun License will remain in tact as an option for those who wish to seek reciprocity in other states.
  • HB48 Rep. Blake Miguez (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to the requirements for concealed handgun permit safety and training course applicants and instructors
  • HB52 Rep. Debbie Villio (R)- [LSA has No Position] (Constitutional Amendment) Adds aggravated battery committed with a firearm to the list of crimes for which special juvenile procedures are not required
  • HB118 Rep. Larry Frieman (R)- [Supported by LSA] Firearms Protection Act making Louisiana a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State, to prevent federal regulation from infringing on a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms.
  • HB124 Rep. Paul Hollis (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides an exception to certain offenses of illegal carrying of weapons for persons with a concealed handgun permit
  • HB326 Rep. Tammy Phelps (D) [Opposed by LSA] Removes the requirement that the handgun be possessed on the offender’s person in order for illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile to apply
  • HB353 Rep. Mandie Landry (D) [Opposed by LSA] Prohibits the private transfer of firearms between lawful individuals without first obtaining a background check
  • HB596 Rep. Bryan Fontenot (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to the concealed carrying of firearms; not “true” Constitutional Carry as currently written, it is an advancement for the right to keep and bear arms (i.e., it’s not what we want, but its better than what we have). The LSA would like to see this bill amended.
  • HB597 Rep. Blake Miguez (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to prohibition on certain governmental entity contracts with companies that discriminate against firearm and ammunition industries
  • SB115 Sen. Barrow Peacock (R)- [LSA has No Postition] Prohibits possession of firearms, ammunition, or electric weapons or devices by certain felons
  • SB118 Sen. John Morris (R)- [Supported by LSA] Provides relative to the concealed carrying of firearms by extending the prohibition from carrying and concealing a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance to non-permitted but otherwise legal carriers and extends the notification requirement to police officers to non-permitted but otherwise legal carriers

Results from the 2021 Elections

For the first time in its 53 year history, the Louisiana Shooting Association was not able to hold a live Annual Meeting of Members and Elections. Using a sophisticated and secure on-line voting system, the LSA hosted a virtual election. Here are the results of that election.

Elected to a 3-year term as Director (in order of number of votes obtained):

Jay D. Hunt, III
Ronald “Buck” Kliebert
Ron Duplessis
Dwayne Vidrine
Paul Prokop

Elected to a 1-year term as Alternate Directors:

Ted A. Torres, III – First Alternate
Dave Ramey – Second Alternate

As to the Bylaw Amendment Approval of Article IV Section 1, the motion passed by a vote of 96.4% For and 3.6% Against.

The By-Laws of the Louisiana Shooting Association (amended February 18, 2018) Article IV Meetings of the Association Section 1. Annual Meetings formerly read:

No earlier than January 1 and no later than February 28, the Association shall conduct a meeting for the election of Directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The exact date, time and place of this meeting shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Not less than 10 day’s notice of this meeting, specifying the date, time and place of meeting, shall be provided to all members of the Association. If this meeting cannot be held due to an act of God, or otherwise, it shall be held at the earliest convenient time, at the discretion of the President.

The following amendment was proposed and approved:

No earlier than January 1 and no later than February 28, the Association shall conduct a meeting for the election of Directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The exact date, time and place of this meeting shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Not less than 10 day’s notice of this meeting, specifying the date, time and place of meeting, shall be provided to all members of the Association. If this meeting cannot be held due to an act of God, or otherwise, it shall be held at the earliest convenient time, at the discretion of the President. If an Annual Meeting cannot be held during a year due to extraordinary events, a vote of 2/3 of the Directors may also approve an Electronic Ballot be provided to the members of the association who are eligible to vote.

State of Louisiana Joins Federal Lawsuit Against Jefferson Parish School Board Over Violations of Ka’Mauri Harrison’s Constitutional Rights

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a legal motion for the State of Louisiana to intervene in a federal lawsuit filed by Nyron Harrison, the father of Ka’Mauri Harrison. Ka’Mauri is a Jefferson Parish elementary student who was recommended for expulsion after he safely and responsibly moved a BB gun his younger brother had accidentally knocked over while Ka’Mauri was participating in a virtual class session. Ka’Mauri was taking a test from his bedroom.

Attorney General Landry has long maintained that an individual’s private home is not an extension of the classroom, and he has taken a number of actions to defend Ka’Mauri and other students who were sent into a bureaucratic abyss for no reason and told there is no way out. In the motion filed on Friday at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Attorney General Landry stated that the Jefferson Parish School Board (JPSB) has interpreted and applied state law improperly by imposing mandatory expulsion statutes to conduct that is neither prohibited nor even covered by existing school discipline statutes. In doing so, the Board is violating the rights of students and their parents to privacy in their homes and expanding the law in a manner never contemplated by the Legislature.

“The Jefferson Parish School Board has violated state law over and over. It is unfortunate that we have had to go to such lengths to correct the Board’s egregious behavior and misinterpretation of the law,” said Attorney General Landry. “The Legislature even unanimously passed a law expressly reaffirming that the home is not school property and discipline policies cannot treat it the same. The Board’s dogged insistence upon continuing to do so is not only senseless and wrong, but it is also a waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Attorney General Landry’s motion further argues that the JPSB failed to comply with La. R.S. 17:416 and the Ka’Mauri Harrison Act and that the JPSB violated the Due Process rights of its students (and their parents).

Don’t Feed The Anti-Gun Zealots!

We are often asked to compile a list of companies that are anti-Civil Rights who call for the removal of your Constitutionally-Protected Rights under the Second Amendment. But, as a small Pro-Civil Rights Organization run entirely by volunteers, this task is a little too daunting. Never fear! The Second Amendment Foundation has done just that. If you would like to see there full list, click here.

The following companies and/or their decision makers have instituted anti-firearm corporate policy or have pressed lawmakers to enact further strict legislation.

20/20 Vision Cheryl Plank CEO
A&M Records Herb Alpert CEO
AlleyCorp Kevin Ryan Founder and CEO
Alphabet, Inc. Sundar Pichai CEO
Amalgamated Bank Keith Mestrich President and CEO
Ambition TravisTruett Co-Founder and CEO
AMC Theatres Adam Aron CEO
AOL / Time Warner Jason Kilar CEO
Ariel Investments LLC John W. Rogers, Jr. CEO
Artsy Mike Steib CEO
Ascend.io Sean Knapp Co-Founder and CEO
Aspiration Andrei Cherny Co-Founder and CEO
AT&T Randal Stephenson CEO
Aura Abdur Chowdhury CEO
AutoZone William Rhodes CEO
Backpack Fahim Aziz Founder and CEO
Bad Robot Fahim Aziz Founder and CEO
Bain Capital John Connaughton Co-Managing Partner / Co-Chairman
Bank of America Brian Moynihan CEO
Beeswax AriPaparo CEO
Begin Ryan Block Co-Founder
Betaworks John Borthwick Founder and CEO
Beyond Meat Ethan Brown Co-Founder and CEO
Bloomberg LP Peter Grauer Chairman
Bonusly Raphael Crawford-Marks Co-Founder and CEO
Brat Darren Lachtman Co-Founder
Brookfield Property Ric Clark Chairman
Brud Trevor McFedries CEO
Bumble Whitney Herd CEO
Burger King Daniel Schwartz CEO
Cambly Sameer Shariff Co-Founder
Catch & Release Analisa Goodin Founder and CEO
Cerebras Systems Andrew Feldman Founder and CEO
Chipotle Brian Niccol CEO
Circle Medical George Favvas CEO
ClassPass Fritz Lanman CEO
Clearbit Alex MacCaw CEO
Clever Tyler Bosmeny CEO
Clockwise Matt Martin Co-Founder and CEO
CNN Jeff Zucker CEO
Color Genomics Othman Laraki Co-Founder and CEO
Comcast Brian Roberts CEO
Conde Nast Roger Lynch CEO
Costco Craig Jelinek CEO
Credit Karma Ken Lin Founder and CEO
Crunchbase Jager McConnell CEO
Curalate Apu Gupta Co-Founder and CEO
Curtsy David Oates Co-Founder and CEO
Dannon Juan Dalto CEO
Delta Airlines Ed Bastian CEO
DICK’S Sporting Goods Edward Stack CEO
Disney Company Bob Chapek CEO
DoorDash Tony Xu Co-Founder and CEO
Doxel, Inc. Saurabh Ladha CEO
Ebay Jamie Iannone CEO
Ecolab Doug Baker Chairman and CEO
Edelman Richard Edelman President and CEO
Elektra Labs Andy Coravos Co-Founder and CEO
Emerson Collective Laurene Powell Jobs President
Enterprise Chrissy Taylor CEO
Eventbrite Julia Hartz Co-Founder and CEO
Farmstead Pradeep Elankumaran Co-Founder & CEO
Full Picture Desiree Gruber CEO
Fundera Jared Hecht Founder and CEO
Gap Inc. Art Peck CEO
Gateway Computers James Coleman CEO
GE Lawrence Culp CEO
GEICO Todd Combs CEO
Goat Group Eddy Lu CEO
Golden Jude Gomila Founder and CEO
Graphic Packaging Michael Doss CEO
Group Nine Media Ben Lerer Co-Founder & CEO
Gucci Marco Bizzarri CEO
Guru Rick Nucci Co-Founder & CEO
Hallmark Cards Mike Perry CEO
Hard Rock Cafe James Allen CEO
Havas Group Yannick Bollore CEO
HBO Richard Plepler CEO
Hint, Inc. Kara Goldin Founder and CEO
HipDot Jeff Sellinger Co-Founder and CEO
Hooked Prerna Gupta CEO
Horizon Media Bill Koenigsberg President CEO and Founder
Humbition Cyrus Massoumi Managing Partner
Impossible Foods Patrick Brown MD, PhD, Founder and CEO
Interpublic Michael Roth Chairman and CEO
Intuit Sasan Goodzari CEO
JOOR Kristin Savilia CEO
Jumbo Privacy Pierre Valade CEO
Kabbage Inc. Rob Frohwein Co-Founder and CEO
Kadena William Martino Founder and CEO
Kanga Jake Perlman-Garr CEO
Knowable Warren Shaeffer Co-Founder and CEO
Lattice Jack Altman CEO
Levi Strauss & Co. Chip Bergh President and CEO
Lucent Technologies Patricia Russo CEO
Lyft Logan Green Co-Founder and CEO
MetaProp.vc Aaron Block Co-Founder and Managing Director
MetLife Michael Khalaf CEO
Microsoft Satya Nadella CEO
Modern Fertility Afton Vechery Co-Founder and CEO
MongoDB Inc. Dev Ittycheria President and CEO
MSNBC Phil Griffin CEO
MTV Chris McCarthey CEO
Navient John Remonid CEO
NBC Universal Jeff Shell CEO
NCR Corp. Michael Hayford CEO
Neighborland Dan Parham Founder and CEO
NewsCred Shafqat Islam CEO
Nextdoor Sarah Friar CEO
NowThis Athan Stephanopoulos President
Nurx Varsha Rao CEO
Oaktree Capital Howard Marks Co-Chairman
Oberndorf Enterprises William E. Oberndorf Chairman
Oceans Steven Rosenblatt Co-Founder and General Partner
OfferUp Nick Huzar Co-Founder and CEO
Okta Todd McKinnon Co-Founder and CEO
Omnicom Group John Wren Chairman and CEO
Openpath James Segil Co-Founder and President
Panera Bread Niren Chaudhary CEO
Parabol Jordan Husney CEO
Paravision Doug Aley CEO
Paypal David Schulman CEO
Pinterest Ben Silbermann Co-Founder and CEO
Plato Design John Milinovich CEO
Postmates Bastian Lehmann Co-Founder & CEO
Presto Rajat Suri CEO
Prima Christopher Gavigan Founder and CEO
Progressive Insurance Tricia Griffith CEO
Prologis Hamid Moghadam Chairman and CEO
Publicis Groupe Arthur Sadoun Chairman and CEO
Quartzy Adam Regelmann Founder and COO
Reddit Steve Huffman CEO
Ribbon Health Nate Maslak Co-Founder and CEO
Ro Zachariah Reitano Co-Founder and CEO
Roofstock Gary Beasley Co-Founder and CEO
Royal Caribbean Cruises Richard Fain CEO
RXR Realty Scott Rechler Chairman and CEO
Sara Lee John Bryan CEO
SelfMade Brian Schechter CEO
Shoptiques Inc. Olga Vidisheva Founder and CEO
Showtime Cable Network David Nevins CEO
Shutterstock Inc. Jon Oringer Founder and CEO
Sidewalk Labs Dan Doctoroff CEO
Sift Jason Tan CEO
Skillshare Matt Cooper CEO
SkySafe Grant Jordan CEO
Small Door Josh Guttman Co-Founder and CEO
SmartAsset Michael Carvin Co-Founder and CEO
Snapdocs, Inc. Aaron King Founder and CEO
Solve.io Neil Capel CEO
Sonic J. Clifford Hudson CEO
Southwestern Bell Mark Keiffer CEO
Splash Ben Hindman Co-Founder and CEO
Square and Twitter Jack Dorsey CEO
Squarespace Anthony Casalena Founder and CEO
Standard Bots Evan Beard Founder and CEO
Subway Trevor Haynes CEO
Sundia Corporation Bradford Oberwager CEO
Sunlight Health Ross Feinstein CEO
Superplastic Paul Budnitz CEO
SurveyMonkey Zander Lurie CEO
SV Angel Ron Conway Founder
Symantec Vincent Pilette CEO
ThirdLove Heidi Zak Co-Founder and Co-CEO
Thisopenspace inc. Ashar Nejati CEO
Thrive Capital Joshua Kushner Founder and Managing Partner
Thrive Global Arianna Huffington Founder and CEO
ThunderCore Inc. Chris Wang CEO
Tillable Corbett Kull CEO
Tinder Sean Rad CEO
TOMS Blake Mycoskie Founder and CEO
Twilio Jeff Lawson Co-Founder and CEO
Uber Dara Khosrowshahi CEO
Uniform Teeth Meghan Jewitt CEO
Viosera Therapeutics Nicholas Goldner Co-Founder and CEO
Virtual Kitchen Ken Chong CEO
Voxer Irv Remedios CEO
Voyage Oliver Cameron Co-Founder and CEO
Watsi Chase Adam Co-Founder and CEO
WayUp Liz Wessel Co-Founder and CEO
Whalar Neil Waller CEO
Wizeline Bismarck Lepe CEO
WPP Mark Read CEO
X.ai, inc. Dennis Mortensen Founder and CEO
Y Combinator Geoff Ralston President
Yelp Jeremy Stoppelman Co-Founder and CEO
Yum Brands Greg Creed CEO
Zola Shan-Lyn Ma Co-Founder and CEO

Troubling Times and Your LSA: Are Your Rights Safe in Louisiana?

For years we have heard from those who hate our Civil Rights protected under the Second Amendment, “We are not coming for your guns. We only want common sense gun laws.” However, President-Elect Joe Biden’s Twitter message to former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords made it crystal clear: Biden pledged to work with Giffords on her extremist gun control agenda, and promised to “defeat the NRA.” In response, Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) founder and Executive Vice-President Alan M. Gottlieb said “Joe Biden has labored relentlessly for decades to reduce the Second Amendment to rubble. He may attack one group by name, but his goal is to crush the rights of every gun owner in our country.” [Click here for more on Gottlieb’s response]

We are all thankful for organizations like the NRA and the SAF that work at the National level to defeat the emotional and uninformed anti-Civil Rights politicians like Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer. For many years, most Louisianians have felt safe under the protection of these National pro-Second Amendment organizations. But, with the influx of money and outside influence from the staunch anti-Civil Rights Michael Bloomberg, Louisiana State Politicians have become emboldened in their attempts to limit your rights. Two years ago, Democrats in the State House proposed bill after bill that came directly from the playbook of the Bloomberg-financed Everytown for Gun Safety. Everytown was created in 2013 when Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America joined forces. Everytown for Gun Safety is largely financed by Michael Bloomberg.

Your best defense against the loss of your Second Amendment Rights in Louisiana is a strong LSA. The LSA is laser focused on your Civil Rights protected under the Second Amendment. Although we closely monitor National laws, 100% of our efforts are in Louisiana. The LSA works with pro-Second Amendment legislators to craft laws that protect your rights to buy guns here. The LSA helps legislators on both sides of the aisle to craft anti-crime legislation that will not inadvertently (or purposefully) harm your rights. The LSA works tirelessly to defeat any and all legislation that would harm your protected right to keep and bear arms.

Your membership is crucial, because politicians are influenced by numbers. A large LSA demonstrates a strong commitment by the Citizens of Louisiana for the preservation of their Civil Rights protected by the Second Amendment. Membership is only $15 per year! If you are already a member, consider giving a friend a membership in the LSA.

Your continued support is critical for our mission.

Candidates for 2021 Election of Directors

Ron Duplessis: Incumbent Director; Life Member of LSA; Life Member of NRA; Owner , President of several rifle and barrel manufacturing companies, including Carbon Six Barrels, Carbon Six Rifles, Mcgowen Precision Barrels, and Precision Cut Barrels, with plans to bring three different rifles and seven models to market in 2021; owns patent for the three lug bolt action rifle (Pat. No. 7975417); manufacturer that works with the National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF) and displays at the SHOT Show; Range Owner; accomplished shotgun shooter; extensive legislative and bill writing experience

John Grout: Incumbent Alternate Director; no information provided by candidate

Jay D. Hunt, III: Incumbent Director and Treasurer; First elected to LSA Board in 2006; Treasurer since 2008; Life Member of LSA; Benefactor Member of NRA; Life Member of Second Amendment Foundation; Life Member of Safari Club International; Hunter Education Instructor; NRA Range Safety Officer; former High Power Rifle Master level competitive shooter and Junior shooting coach; Retired Range Safety Officer and former Board member for Honey Island Shooting Range; Staunch supporter of Second Amendment Rights

Ronald “Buck” Kliebert: Incumbent Director; First elected to LSA Board in 2009; Member of the NRA; former Louisiana State High Power Rifle Team member from 2006-2011; Jr. High Power Rifle Coach; active competitive shooter holding NRA classifications in High Power Rifle (Master), Long Range Prone (Master), Mid-Range Prone (High Master) and Small Bore Prone (Expert); Staunch supporter of our Second Amendment Rights and would like to continue serving you as a director on the LSA board

Paul Prokop: Incumbent Director and Secretary; First elected to LSA board in 2012; Secretary since 2012; Life member of LSA; Benefactor member of NRA; High Power Rifle Master level competitive shooter; Retired Coast Guard Captain (O-6)

David J. Ramey: Incumbent Alternate Director; Life Member of LSA; Benefactor and Golden Eagle Member of NRA; LA CHP and Hunter Ed Instructor; Retired Range Safety Officer and former Board member for Honey Island Shooting Range; currently working as compliance officer and in-house Trainer/Instructor at Jefferson Gun Outlet & Indoor Range; Supported the Second Amendment in several states in the past when employed there

Ted A. Torres, III:  Served on the board of directors for the Louisiana Shooting Association from 2012 to 2019.  Served as the match director for NRA F-class and Field Precision Rifle competitions at Palo Alto Rifle and Pistol Club 2011-2015.  Previous owner of Ritten Precision, LLC specializing in building and accurizing of competition and long-range hunting rifles.  Passionate hunter and dedicated supporter of 2A rights.

Dwayne Vidrine: Incumbent Director;  First elected to the LSA Board in 2018; Life member of the LSA; benefactor member of the NRA; Registered Professional Engineer #25201, State of Louisiana; Member of the Palo Alt Rifle & Pistol Club and the Southeast Louisiana High Power Rifle Club; Active High Power Rifle and service pistol competitive shooter; Distinguished Rifleman #2276.; Staunch supporter of our Second Amendment Rights.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Joins Legal Efforts Supporting NRA

Attorney General Jeff Landry has added Louisiana to a coalition of 16 states that have filed an amicus brief supporting the National Rifle Association’s lawsuit against the New York Attorney General, Letitia James.

The NRA’s lawsuit seeks to block James’s politically motivated attempt in a separate lawsuit to dissolve the NRA, which is the country’s oldest civil rights organization and leading Second Amendment advocacy organization.

“The New York Attorney General’s actions threaten the civil rights of five million NRA members – including citizens of Louisiana,” said Attorney General Landry. “I am proud to fight back against this partisan attack on the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens who respect the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

In August, James filed a lawsuit in New York state court seeking to dissolve the NRA. Separately, the District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine filed an action against the non-profit organization NRA Foundation; but the DC lawsuit tellingly did not seek dissolution.

Subsequently, the NRA responded by suing James in New York federal court – claiming that her dissolution lawsuit violated the First Amendment by seeking to punish the NRA for its constitutionally protected Second Amendment advocacy.

The amicus brief filed by Landry and his colleagues supports the NRA’s federal-court lawsuit. Landry and the other 15 state attorneys general argue that James sought dissolution because she does not like the NRA’s political advocacy, its members’ political views, and the organization’s defense of a fundamental constitutional right. When it comes to being arrested, it is crucial to know the kind of attorney to hire after getting arrested.

The brief argues that New York’s lawsuit violates the First Amendment because it was designed to retaliate against the NRA and its members for these constitutionally-protected activities. To hire a legal expert one can see here for more information.

The brief makes clear that state regulations of non-profits and charitable organizations are essential to protecting the public. But it also criticizes New York’s politically motivated enforcement of its regulations. Such regulations should never be used to attack a government official’s political opponents. When it comes to accidents, the suspended license after a DUI charge out of state is an issue that can only be fixed with the help of a powerful person or a good lawyer.

Louisiana is joined in the amicus brief by Arkansas, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

LSA Files Federal Lawsuit on Behalf of two Louisiana Residents

The Louisiana Shooting Association, the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition filed a federal lawsuit on November 6, 2020 challenging federal law that prevents young adults from purchasing and owning handguns.

The suit was filed on behalf of two private citizens, Caleb Reese and Joseph Granich, both in the affected age group. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of Southport, NC, Adam Kraut and Joseph Greenlee from Sacramento, CA, and John W. Dillon from Carlsbad, CA, and George J. Armbruster III from Lafayette, LA. Kraut is FPC’s Director of Legal Strategy and Greenlee is the group’s Director of Research. The case is known as Reese v. BATF.

Named as defendants are the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Acting Director Regina Lombardo, and Attorney General William Barr, in their official capacities.

Neither Reese or Granich have criminal records. Both are over age 18, and thus have reached what is generically called the age of majority, which means adulthood. Yet they are denied full rights under the Second Amendment to purchase and own handguns, according to the lawsuit, which states, “The Handgun Ban prevents (them) from purchasing handguns of the makes and models of (their) choice, with full manufacturer warranty and support…in violation of (their) constitutionally enumerated rights.”

“While both of these young men were able to vote in the recent national elections, and they can pursue other activities as legal adults, they are prevented by law from purchasing and using handguns,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “They can join the military and defend the nation, possibly at the risk of losing their lives. They can enter into contracts, start businesses, get married and even run for office. Preventing them from legally purchasing and owning handguns seems rather silly, and we believe their rights as adult citizens are being violated.”

“One mission of the Louisiana Shooting Association is to protect Americans’ right to keep and bear arms which necessarily includes their ability to acquire firearms,” said Dan Zelenka, Louisiana Shooting Association’s president. “Handguns are the firearm of choice for self-defense as well as for many types of sport shooting disciplines. Nothing in the Constitution would subject adults under the age of 21 to different rights and protections under the Second Amendment as adults over the age of 21. On behalf of our members who are currently banned under federal law, as well as our younger members who will soon be in that banned age group, the Louisiana Shooting Association is proud to be a part of this effort to stop the federal government from enforcing its unconstitutional ban.”

“The right to keep and bear arms is not a second-class right, and the law-abiding legal adults the federal government currently bans from purchasing handguns are not second-class people,” said FPC President and FPF Chairman Brandon Combs. “These adults have the fundamental, individual right to purchase handguns and handgun ammunition for all lawful purposes from the lawful retailer of their choice. If they can be asked to fight and die for our country then they can and must be guaranteed the full protection of the Constitution. FPC is committed to fighting for and protecting the rights of all responsible citizens regardless of their age. FPC will continue to fight forward and restore the Second Amendment throughout the United States in this and other cases.”

“People who must bear all the burdens of being an adult should not be denied the benefits of it, especially when those benefits stem from fundamental liberty interests guaranteed by the Bills of Rights,” said attorney DiGuiseppe. “Law-abiding adults who are under 21 years of age shoulder the same essential responsibilities as all other adults, and, in the eyes of the Constitution, they have the same fundamental rights. Yet, the federal government has denied these full-fledged citizens the right to purchase handguns and handgun ammunition, cutting off their ability to acquire the quintessential weapon of self-defense in America. That is unconstitutional. This lawsuit aims to restore the right and ability of these adults to purchase constitutionally protected handguns and ammunition for them in their lawful exercise of their Second Amendment rights.”

“Adults over the age of eighteen have the full protection of all rights under the Constitution,” added Kraut. “But the federal government’s ban singles out their Second Amendment rights for especially unfavorable treatment. And our nation’s history and tradition show that adults under the age of 21 not only have the same Second Amendment rights as those over the age of 21, they were often required to keep and bear arms. We look forward to striking down this unconstitutional ban and providing millions of individuals with access to their constitutional rights.”

“Throughout the colonial and founding eras, hundreds of laws required 18-to-20-year-olds to own firearms—law applying to both males and females, and laws related and unrelated to militia service,” Greenlee explained. “By comparison, there were no restrictions whatsoever as to adults in this age group. If we look to the original understanding of the Second Amendment, as the Supreme Court requires, it is clear that 18-to-20-year-olds were fully protected by the right to keep and bear arms. We seek to vindicate that right in this case.”

“This is the third federal suit SAF has filed so far this month,” Gottlieb noted. “Other suits include our challenge of New York City’s extremist carry law as well as the state of New Jersey’s Draconian carry permit scheme. This is part of SAF’s effort to win firearms freedom one lawsuit at a time. Our ultimate goal is to get these cases reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.”