By Wesley Harris
A new Louisiana law allowing carry of concealed firearms without a permit includes numerous provisions gun owners must consider, according to a long-time Ruston law enforcement official.
Ruston City Marshal Curtis Hawkins said anyone contemplating carrying a concealed weapon needs to research the new law and still consider obtaining a concealed carry permit because of the training component of the process.
While Louisiana has allowed open carry of a firearm for decades, in approving the new law the state joins 28 others in dropping the requirement for a government-issued permit to carry a concealed firearm. Permits will still be issued to those who desire one.
A longtime firearms instructor, Hawkins encourages obtaining the permit.
“When you take the concealed carry class, you get the benefit of a certified instructor walking you through many critical topics step by step—basic safety, loading & unloading, fundamentals of shooting, types of ammunition, different shooting positions, child access prevention, state laws on when you can use force, and actual live range shooting.”
Hawkins says responsible carry of a firearm includes knowing the law. “When you drive a car, you better be familiar with the traffic laws or you could be issued a ticket, be involved in an accident, or incur civil liability and criminal charges. Misuse of a firearm can cause you to face criminal charges and civil liability.”.
“Use of force laws can be very complicated,” Hawkins says. Having an instructor go through these laws and provide you scenarios where they could be applied is just a small but vital part of the class.”
Hawkins, a retired Ruston Police lieutenant, said a person cannot carry a concealed weapon under the following conditions:
• Under the age of 18
• Under the influence of alcohol over a .05% blood alcohol content
• Under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance
• As a named defendant in a restraining order
• Convicted felon
Hawkins said any property owner or designee can prohibit access to persons with a concealed gun with or without a concealed carry permit. In addition, the list of places where concealed weapons are prohibited is lengthy, even with the carry permit, including courthouses and churches:
• Any place where firearms are banned by state or federal law.
• A law enforcement office, station, or building.
• A detention facility, prison, or jail.
• A courthouse or courtroom; judges are exempted in their own courtrooms.
• Any polling place.
• A municipal building or other public building, only if the building or is utilized as the meeting place of the governing authority of a political subdivision.
• The state capitol building.
• Any part of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under
federal law; exempted are firearms encased for shipment as lawful baggage.
• Any church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship, unless authorized by the person who has authority over the administration of the place of worship.
• At a parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.
• Any portion of the permitted area of an establishment selling alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
• Any school, school campus, or school bus.
Any person carrying a concealed handgun must inform any law enforcement officer who approaches of the weapon. The person must submit to a pat down and allow the law enforcement officer to temporarily disarm him. Never reach for the firearm, Hawkins warned, but only notify the officer and follow instructions.
Penalties for failure to comply with this statute can lead to arrest, seizure of the firearm and criminal charges. A conviction can lead to loss of the right to carry a firearm.
