Gun Permit Laws in Louisiana

In Louisiana, adults may purchase and openly carry firearms without a permit. However, you must obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed gun on (or near) your body. (40 La. Rev. Stat. § 1379.3.) And all gun owners must register their firearms with the Louisiana department of public safety, whether you carry your weapon openly or with a concealed carry permit. (40 La. Rev. Stat. § 1783.)

For more information, see Open and Concealed Gun Carrying Laws in Louisiana.

How to Obtain a Concealed Handgun Permit in Louisiana

To obtain a concealed handgun permit, you must apply at the police or sheriff’s office in the county where you reside. To qualify, you must:

• be at least 21 years old
• be a Louisiana resident, and
• demonstrate competence with a handgun.

Additionally you must NOT:

• be a convicted felon
• be an unlawful user of controlled substances, or have been committed to a facility for treatment for the abuse of a controlled substance, or have been convicted of specified crimes involving controlled substances, within the last five years
• chronically and habitually use alcohol to the extent that your normal faculties are impaired (this is presumed to be the case if you have been found guilty of certain crimes involving alcohol use, such as drunk driving)
• have been convicted of certain violent crimes
• be a fugitive from justice
• not have been adjudicated as mentally deficient or committed to a mental institution
• be an illegal alien in the United States
• have been dishonorably discharged from the armed services
• be ineligible to possess a firearm under federal law, or
• have had a concealed carry permit application denied within the past year, or your permit revoked within the last four years.

(40 La. Rev. Stat. § 1379.3.)

Does Louisiana Recognize Concealed Handgun Permits From Other States?

Yes. Louisiana recognizes valid concealed handgun permits from other states that recognize Louisiana permits. If you have a license from a reciprocal state, and you are not a Louisiana resident, your license is valid in Louisiana. If you are a Louisiana resident (or become one), you must apply for a Louisiana permit.

A current list of reciprocal states is available at the Louisiana State Police’s website.

Penalties for Failing to Obtain a Concealed Handgun License

Penalties for carrying a concealed firearm without a permit in Louisiana include a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both. A second conviction can incur up to five years in prison, and a third or subsequent offense incurs up to ten years in prison without parole. (14 La. Stat. Ann. § 95.)

Getting Legal Help

If you have any questions about whether you are allowed to carry a gun in Louisiana, or if you are facing charges for a gun permit violation, consult a qualified criminal defense lawyer.