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Louisiana Constitutional Carry Laws |
Legal information provided is for reference and not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal concerns.
Legal information provided is for reference and not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal concerns.
Louisiana’s gun control laws are among the least restrictive in the U.S. There is no requirement for a license or permit to own a firearm, and no state restrictions on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines.
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Universal background checks are not required for gun purchases. Federal law mandates background checks for purchases through federally licensed dealers, but private sales are exempt.
Gun control efforts consider the interests of gun owners, as Louisiana is popular for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. The state constitution affirms: “The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled that the right to bear arms is not absolute, upholding restrictions on felons and juveniles possessing firearms, as well as the state’s concealed carry law, citing a compelling state interest.
There is no waiting period for gun purchases in Louisiana. However, specific requirements exist for obtaining a concealed carry permit. Applicants must be state residents, at least 21 years old, and not prohibited from firearm possession under state or federal law. Louisiana is a “shall issue” state, meaning permits will be issued if criteria are met. The Louisiana State Police provide application details.
Firearms, whether concealed or open, are restricted in the following locations:
- Law enforcement offices, stations, or buildings
- Prisons, jails, or detention facilities
- Courthouses or courtrooms
- Public buildings used for governmental meetings
- The state capitol building
- Prohibited areas within airport facilities
- Places of worship, unless authorized
- Schools, campuses, or buses
- Polling places
- Parades or demonstrations with government permits
- Establishments licensed to sell alcohol
- Private residences, unless authorized by the resident
Efforts to pass a broad permitless carry law were unsuccessful in 2022. However, permitless carry was approved for active-duty military and veterans who are Louisiana residents (See L.R.S. 14:95 M).
Louisiana law includes a preemption statute that generally prevents cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans from enacting stricter gun laws than those at the state level.
- Title 14, Section 95 : Illegal carrying of weapons
- Title 14, Section 95.1 : Possession of a firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
- Title 14, Section 95.2 : Carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in a firearm-free zone
- Title 14, Section 95.7 : Possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated numbers or marks
- Title 14, Section 95.8 : Illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile
- Title 14, Section 95.10 : Possession of a firearm or carrying of a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and certain offenses of battery of a dating partner
- Title 40, Section 1379.3 : Statewide permits for concealed handguns; application procedures; definitions
- Title 40, Section 1752 : Handling of machine guns unlawful; exceptions
- Title 40, Section 1792 : Possession of unidentifiable firearm; particular penalties; identification of source of firearm
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The following firearms are illegal to possess:
- Illegally obtained firearms
- Firearms with obliterated, altered, removed, or concealed serial numbers or identifying marks
- Machine guns
There is no waiting period to purchase a firearm in Louisiana.
People are prohibited from owning a firearm if they have been convicted of, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for, a crime of violence, including:
- Felonies
- Burglary
- Felony illegal use of weapons
- Manufacture or possession of incendiary devices or bombs
- Possession of a firearm during the sale or distribution of controlled substances
- Sex offenses
Others prohibited include:
- Juveniles under 18 (handgun prohibition)
- Those convicted of domestic abuse battery within the last 10 years
- Those convicted of multiple offenses involving a dating partner within the past 10 years
No. You do not need a license to purchase a gun in Louisiana.
Yes. A concealed handgun permit is required, with exceptions for law enforcement and Armed Forces members.
Yes. Open carry is permitted, but there may be location restrictions.
Applicants must:
- Be a Louisiana resident
- Be at least 21 years old
- Complete an approved handgun safety training course
- Not have conditions preventing safe firearm handling
- Not be a felon prohibited from firearm possession
- Not have a history of substance abuse or DUIs
- Not have violent crime convictions
- Not be a fugitive or unlawful drug user
- Not have mental health adjudications without restored rights
- Not be an illegal alien
- Not have a dishonorable military discharge
- Not have a history of violent behavior
- Not be federally prohibited
Manufacturing, transferring, or possessing a machine gun is unlawful, except:
- Under U.S. or state authority
- Lawfully under federal law
- First Offense : Up to six months in jail; a fine up to $500; or both
- Second Offense : Up to five years in prison
- Third Offense or Greater : Up to 10 years in prison, without parole, probation, or suspension
- During a Crime of Violence : One to two years in prison; a fine up to $2,000; or both
- During a Drug Offense : Five to 10 years in prison
- During a Second or Greater Drug Offense : 20–30 years in prison
- Illegal Possession with Prior Felonies : Five to 20 years in prison; a fine of $1,000 to $5,000
- Illegal Possession of a Handgun by a Juvenile :
- First Offense : 90 days to six months; a fine up to $100; or both
- Second Offense : Up to two years; a fine up to $500; or both
- Third Offense or Greater : Up to five years; a fine up to $1,000; or both
- Illegal Possession after Domestic Abuse Conviction : One to 20 years in prison, without parole, probation, or suspension; a fine of $1,000 to $5,000