Louisiana Concealed Weapon Charges

Residents of Louisiana have some of the most liberal gun laws in the nation. Permits are not required to purchase rifles, shotguns or handguns, and the weapons do not have to be registered. Louisiana is a “shall-issue” state, which means it will issue concealed weapon permits to citizens who have completed a weapons training course. Applications must be submitted to the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. As of August 2010, all licenses will be valid for a period of five years

Louisiana Weapons Laws

The State of Louisiana prohibits concealed handguns from being carried into the following places:

• Any law enforcement office, building or station
• Any prison, jail or detention facility
• Any courthouse or courtroom (with the exception of judges)
• Any polling place
• Any meeting place classified as the governing authority for a political subdivision
• State capitol building
• Any part of an airport facility where weapons are prohibited by federal law
• All churches on school property
• Any demonstration or parade where a permit has been issued
• Any establishment that primarily sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the property
• Any school or firearm free zone

Anyone who wishes to carry a concealed handgun onto the private residence of another person must have permission from the property owner.

Violations

The laws in Louisiana are fairly lax concerning concealed weapons violations which are outlined in the table below:

Plea Options

The speedy trial laws in our nation require prosecutors to file charges against a criminal defendant within 72 hours of their arrest. They will be brought before a judge where they must enter a plea. Their choices are to plead not guilty, guilty or no contest. Sometimes the prosecution is willing to offer a plea bargain, allowing the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser offense. First-time offenders may even receive probation rather than jail time. However, by pleading guilty, the accused gives up many of his Constitutional rights.

Advice From a Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney

Louisiana has many different types of pre-trial diversion programs available to first-time offenders charged with a misdemeanor or non-violent felony. When you consult with a criminal defense attorney, they can determine if your case meets the eligibility requirements. Individuals who successfully complete a pre-trial diversion program will have all of the criminal charges dropped.