Louisiana Gun Control Laws

Louisiana, like many other southern states, holds only light firearm regulation laws. Rifles and shotguns carry no regulation whatsoever, unless concealed. Permits for carrying a concealed weapon are readily available for qualified citizens. Possessing rifles and shotguns anywhere is legal, unless concealed. They may even be sold to minors. Handguns however, carry regulations. They may be possessed openly only by those 18 and older. They may be concealed only after a permit is granted. Permits are given to those only 21 years or older. Many stipulations are applied to permits that are cause for revoking, and are not to be taken lightly. 

Carrying Guns and Possession Laws: Penalties & Regulations

• Illegal possession of firearms is punishable by a maximum of 6 months in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense is punishable by no more than 5 years in jail
• Possession of a firearm by someone previously convicted of a felon is punishable by no less than 2 years in jail
• Possession of an unidentifiable or altered firearm will be sentenced to 5 years in jail with a fine of no more than $1,000

Requirements:

Louisiana Gun Purchasing Laws

The sale, purchase or other forms of transfer of rifles and shotguns is not limited to any age. Any trade of handguns is restricted to those 18 years of age or older. No permits are required for the purchase of any firearms. However, there is a 10-day waiting period while background checks are performed, before an individual can purchase a firearm.

Penalties & Regulations for Unlawful Purchases

• Purchase or sale of any firearm, which has been altered or is unidentifiable is punished by 5 years in jail and a fine of at least $1,000
• Illegitimate sales of firearms are punishable by at least 2 years imprisonment and a $1,000 fine
• Kentucky law states that lacking knowledge of a minor's age is not to be a defense to sale of firearms to a minor

Requirements:

Firing Handguns and Self Defense

Use of deadly force in self-defense is legal in the state of Louisiana. This means that firearms may be used if a defender feels that their life is in danger. They may also use the firearm to save the life of a 3rd party whose life is in danger. This law is valid in an individual's home, car, and place of business.  Using a firearm may be illegal if any of the following:

• Use of the firearm in a public place outside of one's home, car or place of business
• Discharging the firearm in the direction of a roadway or railroad
• Use of a firearm when deadly force has not first been used against the defender

Legal Help

Although the laws governing firearms in the state of Kentucky are lax, there are commonly made offenses. Attorneys should be utilized in order to handle the specific infraction an individual has committed. However, some of the most common infractions to firearms law are the following:

• Possession of a firearm while intoxicated (.05 BAC)
• Improper storage of a firearm while traveling on a roadway
• Concealment of a handgun by an individual without a permit