Louisiana Legislature To Consider ‘Permitless’ Conceal Carry

Flying in the face of President Obama's recent executive action on gun control, one Louisiana legislator thinks citizens of our state should be free to open or conceal carry...without a permit.

Rep. Barry Ivey of Baton Rouge thinks the state should eliminate the permit required for concealed carry, and he also wants an amendment to the state constitution enshrining “permitless” concealed carry as the people’s right. Ivey says such a constitutional safeguard is the the best way to secure strong Second Amendment rights for future generations.

Ivey's bill to amend the constitution will first come before the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. If it passes their muster, the proposed amendment would then go up for a popular vote during the statewide election in November.

The Louisiana constitution already protects each citizen’s right to keep and bear arms. If approved by the legislature and then by popular vote, that amendment would add the following language:

"The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms includes the right to possess a concealed handgun without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license, unless the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm under the laws of Louisiana or the laws of the United States."