Louisiana Gun Laws for Use, Possession, and Carrying

Louisiana, like many other southern states, holds only light firearm regulation laws. Rifles and shotguns carry no regulation whatsoever, unless concealed. However, you need to be 18 to own a handgun, and you must be 21 and have a permit to carry it concealed.

Article 1, Section 11 of the Louisiana constitution guarantees states Louisiana’s commitment to gun ownership, but also carves out an exception for concealed carry: “The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged, but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person.”

Louisiana Requirements for Purchase and Possession of Firearms

Concealed Carry – Permit Required

A permit is required to carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana. To acquire a permit, you must apply to with the Louisiana State Police. With your application will have to pay a fee, show that you have taken an approved weapons safety training class, and agree to a background check.  Louisiana is a “shall issue” state, meaning that the state must issue a permit to you, if you qualify for one. 

Permit Qualifications

To qualify for a concealed carry permit, you must be resident of the state and be twenty-one years of age or older. You are disqualified for a permit if you: are a fugitive from justice; have been convicted of a felony; have been convicted of a misdemeanor under a law relating to a controlled dangerous substance in the last five years; have been found guilty of a crime of violence in the last five years; have a history of engaging in violent behavior; have been committed for the abuse of a controlled dangerous substance; are an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, or narcotic drugs; are chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages; suffer from a mental or physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun; have been adjudicated to be mentally deficient or been committed to a mental institution; have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States; have had a permit denied within one year prior to the most recent application have had a permit revoked within four years prior to the most recent application; are an illegal alien in the United States.

Permit Limitations

If you receive a concealed carry permit, you must carry it with you whenever you carry a concealed weapon. You must never carry a conciliated weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – if you do, your permit will be considered void. If a peace officer approaches you while you’re carrying, you must let the officer know that you are carrying a concealed weapon and you must submit to a pat down. If you don’t’ comply, your permit may be suspended.

Finally, even with a permit you may not carry your weapon into:   a law enforcement office, station, or building; a detention facility, prison, or jail; a courthouse or courtroom, provided that a judge may carry such a weapon in his own courtroom; a polling place; the state capitol building; any portion of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under federal law (unless checking it as baggage; any place of worship; licensed parades; bars or restaurants that sell alcohol; any school, school campus, or school bus. And property owners may restrict those with concealed weapons from access to their property.

Louisiana Gun Purchasing Regulations

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

While Louisiana provides relatively broad liberties for gun ownership, it also has serious laws against illegal gun use.  Here are some examples of illegal gun use and the penalties that result from breaking these laws.

• Firearms with obliterated mark. It is illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport firearm from which the serial number has been obliterated (antiques and relics excluded). Committing this crime results in a penalty of up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. (L.R.S 14:95.7) 
• Possession of a firearm by a felon. Persons convicted of a felony may not possess firearms. The penalty for committing this crime is ten to 20 years imprisonment and a$1,000-$5,000 fine. (L.R.S 14:94) 
• Supplying firearms to a felon. Giving, selling, donating, providing, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to a felon is a crime that results in a penalty of one to five years in prison and a $1,000 - $5,000 fine. (L.R.S 14:94.1) 
• Handgun possession by a minor.  A minor in possession of a handgun will be fined $100 and imprisoned for 90 days to six months. This law does not apply if you are attending a safety course, are at an established shooting range, have permission of the owner of the property, or have written permission from your legal guardian. (L.R.S 14:95.8)   
• Illegal possession of stolen firearms. Possessing, receiving, or concealing stolen firearms results in a prison term of one to five years. (L.R.S 14:69.1) 

Self Defense in Louisiana

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 third party whose life is in danger. This law is valid in an individual's home, car, and place of business.  

Use of a firearm for self-defense may be illegal:

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

Getting Help with Gun Charges

To learn more about Louisiana’s gun laws, the Louisiana Revised Statutes, starting at L.R.S 40:1752-1812.    For more about concealed weapons requirements see L.R.S 40:1379.3.

If you face gun charges in Louisiana or anywhere else, seek the advice of an attorney.