A new Louisiana law that allows law-abiding persons to carry concealed guns without a permit or training could soon apply to more weapons and locations, The Louisiana Illuminator reports. A state Senate committee gave swift, unanimous approval to three bills Tuesday from the law’s author, Republican Sen. Blake Miguez. A professional competitive marksman, Miguez successfully ushered his so-called “constitutional carry” measure in last month’s special session on criminal justice issues, the Louisiana Illuminator reports.
One of his new bills makes the new law applicable to all firearms, not just handguns. For example, a shotgun would be legal to carry concealed. Sawed-off shotguns are illegal in Louisiana and wouldn’t fall under the expanded law. Another Miguez bill would allow concealed firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol — “places where families eat,” the senator said — as long as the businesses don’t make more than 50% of their revenue from alcohol sales. Bars would still be off limits for concealed weapons under the proposal, Miguez said. Plus, anyone with a blood alcohol content of 0.05% or higher, regardless of their location, would not be allowed to conceal-carry, as spelled out in the new law. A third bill would allow businesses to be penalized if they deny entry to an off-duty police officer carrying a concealed gun. The proposed fine could reach $1,000 per occurrence. Kelby Seanor, head of the National Rifle Association’s Louisiana chapter, told the committee nearly every other state that allows concealed firearms without a permit has no limitations on where off-duty law enforcement can carry their service weapons.