Louisiana lawmakers are pushing bills that would extend permitless concealed carry rights closer to schools and at public events like parades, citing legal consistency.
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BATON ROUGE, LA (3-minute read) — Louisiana is once again at the forefront of national debates over gun rights and public safety, with lawmakers advancing new legislation that would expand the state’s constitutional carry law. Less than a year after the law took effect, two new bills aim to allow broader access to concealed firearms near schools and at public events such as parades.
Under Senate Bill 101, anyone legally permitted to possess a firearm — including those without a concealed carry permit — would be allowed to carry within 1,000 feet of a school. Current Louisiana law still restricts this area to permit holders only, following federal guidelines related to Gun-Free School Zones. The new proposal, led by Senator Blake Miguez (R-New Iberia), seeks to align all state firearm regulations under one standard to avoid legal confusion and accidental violations.
Expanding Constitutional Carry Near Schools
Miguez argues the current laws are inconsistent, putting lawful gun owners at risk of unknowingly committing felonies. He emphasized that Senate Bill 101 does not permit carrying on school grounds—only up to the property line—mirroring the rights of concealed carry permit holders.
Another aspect of the bill would remove privately owned vocational-technical schools from the list of gun-restricted zones, letting those institutions determine firearm policies as a matter of property rights.
Clarifying Gun Laws at Parades
House Bill 393, introduced by Rep. Dennis Bamburg Jr. (R-Bossier City), seeks to resolve confusion over whether firearms are allowed at parades. The proposed change would clearly state that only parade participants—not spectators—are prohibited from carrying concealed firearms.
Bamburg calls it a “cleanup bill,” but some lawmakers and parade organizers remain skeptical. Rep. Alonzo Knox (D-New Orleans) questioned the logic of allowing bystanders to be armed while parade participants remain unarmed.
Tension Between State and Local Officials
These legislative efforts follow recent disputes between state officials and local leaders in New Orleans. In an attempt to preserve gun-free zones in the French Quarter, city officials last year designated a police station as a vocational-technical school. The effort was swiftly shut down by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and Senator Miguez, who deemed it legally invalid.
Safety Tip: Always research and understand your local and state firearm laws before carrying in public areas, especially near schools or public events. Ignorance of the law can still lead to serious legal consequences.
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