By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
In 2024, during the Second Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature, Senator Blake Miguez from District 22 sponsored Senate Bill 1 (SB-1), also known as the Constitutional Carry Bill. Louisiana becomes the twenty-eighth state to endorse constitutional carry.
Governor Jeff Landry signed SB-1 into law on March 5, 2024, which will take effect on July 4, 2024. According to Miguez, the bill’s effective date is symbolic because that is the day the United States celebrates its independence.
SB-1 constitutionalizes concealed carry without requiring a permit for law-abiding adult citizens. After SB-1 takes effect, Louisiana State Police will continue to issue concealed carry permits for those seeking permits.
Miguez stated, “As we commemorate this significant milestone, we’re also reminded of the profound responsibility accompanying these rights.”
Miguez also sponsored SB-2, “Liability: Provides relative to liability for persons authorized to carry a concealed handgun.” Miguez explained that SB-2 provides civil immunity for Louisiana residents who use justifiable self defense with a handgun and are authorized to carry a concealed handgun, such as permit holders, military personnel, and off-duty law enforcement.
BY Local News went one-on-one with Miguez and asked the following questions regarding concealed carry of handguns in Louisiana and SB-1.
What prompted you to create the constitutional concealed carry bill?
Miguez: SB-1 was created to remove governmental barriers for people to exercise their right to constitutional carry. I’ve been a big advocate for Second Amendment rights, and I’m a constitutionalist fighting to strengthen the God-given right of self-defense within the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and our Declaration of Independence. The new law gives law-abiding adults the right to conceal carry a handgun without the need for government’s permission. It’s the law of the land in twenty-seven other states: Louisiana is the 28th state, and South Carolina is now the 29th state to allow constitutional carry.
Is a concealed carry permit required for constitutional concealed carry?
Miguez: Starting July 4, 2024, a permit will not be required to conceal carry a handgun due to SB-1 becoming law.
Who will be able to conceal carry constitutionally?
Miguez: Individuals eighteen or older who are not legally prohibited from possessing a handgun under state or federal law can carry it without a permit after SB-1 becomes law on July 4, 2024.
Should anyone who constitutionally conceals carry take training?
Miguez: Although training is not required, those who will be constitutionally concealed carrying are encouraged to take safety training. Those who have a permit to conceal carry are required to take this type of training.
What is required if a person who is concealed carrying is stopped by a law enforcement officer?
Miguez: If stopped by a law enforcement officer, a person carrying a concealed handgun must inform the officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun.
Who is prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon?
Miguez: Those restricted from concealed carry include most with felony convictions, those restricted under state or federal law, those with an alcohol level of .05 or over, and those with mental illness. View Louisiana Revised Statue 40:1379.3 and 18 U.S.C. 922(g) for restrictions and to learn more.
What are locations where a person can not conceal carry?
Miguez: School zones, private property if the owner doesn’t want firearms on their property, law enforcement buildings, detention centers, courtrooms (judges can carry), polling places, certain government buildings, airport facilities, parades, and bars. View Louisiana Revised Statue 40:1379.3 to view restrictions and to learn more.
Did constitutional concealed carry already exist for veterans in Louisiana?
Miguez: Honorable discharged veterans were allowed to constitutional carry via Senate Bill 143 from the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature under former Governor John Bel Edwards.
Can a Louisiana resident conceal carry in other states?
Miguez: Louisiana and other states practice reciprocity*, so it may be possible to conceal carry in other states, depending on the state.
What would you say to anyone who believes allowing constitutional concealed carry will increase crime?
Miguez: The legislature passed SB-1, allowing constitutional concealed carry, to deter and reduce crime.
What would you say to opponents of the bill?
Miguez: Opponents need not worry, as criminals already possess guns because they don’t follow the law, and concealed carry permits are still being issued. Both constitutional and permitted concealed carry allows individuals to have protection when threatened by a violent criminal.
*Reciprocity: “Pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.3(T)(2) a current and valid concealed handgun permit issued by another state to an individual having attained the age of twenty-one years shall be deemed to be valid for the out-of-state permit holder to carry a concealed weapon within this state if a current and valid concealed handgun permit issued by Louisiana is valid in those states.” [source: https://www.lsp.org/services/concealed-handgun-information/reciprocity/ ]
