Gun Bills Pre-Filed for 2020 in Louisiana State House

HB 140 (Blake Miguez, R, Dist. 49) Provides relative to the preemption of state law for firearms: Proposed law removes the exception from present law, prohibiting any governing authority of a political subdivision from enacting any ordinance or regulation that is more restrictive than state law concerning the possession of a weapon or firearm in certain commercial establishments and public buildings.

HB 277 (Blake Miguez, R, Dist. 49) Provides relative to the certification requirements for concealed handgun permit safety and training course instructors: Proposed law provides alternative means of certification for instructors who provide the required training and safety courses for concealed handgun permit applicants

HB 334 (Bryan Fontenot, R, Dist. 55) Authorizes a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a place of worship: Proposed law authorizes a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship by repealing the present law limitation on a permit holder’s authority to carry in such places.

HB 484 (Blake Miguez, R, Dist. 49)Provides an exception to certain offenses of illegal carrying of weapons for persons with a concealed handgun permit: Under current law, even if one has a valid concealed handgun permit, one could be arrested for carrying a concealed pocket knife. The proposed law retains present law but provides an exception to the prohibition for any person who has a valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to present law. Proposed law further provides that the provisions shall not prohibit a person with a valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to present law from carrying a concealed firearm or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon on his person unless otherwise prohibited by present law.

HB 686 (Danny McCormick, R, Dist. 1) Provides relative to the concealed carrying of firearms: Proposed law amends present law to remove the requirement that a person possess a permit issued by the state of Louisiana to carry a concealed handgun in the state of Louisiana. This is the so called, “Constitutional Carry Bill.”

HB 147 (Jason Hughes, D, Dist. 100) Allows governing authorities of Orleans parish to adopt certain regulations related to firearms and ammunition: Proposed law provides that nothing in present law prohibits a parish with a population of not less than 300,000 nor more than 400,000 according to the latest federal decennial census, or any local governing authority or official thereof, from enacting or enforcing any ordinance or regulation concerning in any way the sale, purchase, possession, ownership, transfer, transportation, license, or registration of firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms. The LSA opposes this legislation as it would create a patchwork of laws concerning possession and use of firearms throughout the state of Louisiana.

HB 452 (Stephanie Hilferty, R. Dist. 94) Provides relative to the illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile: Proposed law expands the application of present law to prohibit the possession of all firearms by a juvenile who has not attained the age of 18 years, and expands the application of the present law exceptions to the possession of any firearm under the circumstances specified in present law. The LSA opposes this legislation because it restricts the ability of youth from possessing rifles and shotguns.

HB 471 (Gary Carter, D, Dist. 102)Provides for the seizure of firearms from persons who pose a risk of imminent injury to self or others: Proposed law authorizes a district attorney or assistant district attorney to petition the court for the issuance of a warrant for the search and seizure of anyf irearm from any person when the petitioner has probable cause to believe that the person poses a risk of imminent personal injury to himself or to another person. This is a so called, “Red Flag Law.” The LSA opposes this legislation as this law would allow the seizure of firearms without due process and in violation of Constitutional Civil Rights.