State Laws · LA
Louisiana Gun Laws
Effective as of July 4, 2024 (HB 12, constitutional carry). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed & Open Carry
Louisiana adopted constitutional carry under HB 12, effective July 4, 2024. Persons aged 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. Open carry has been legal in Louisiana without a permit. Louisiana continues to issue the Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) for reciprocity.
Key statute: La. R.S. 40:1379.3 — statewide permits for concealed handguns. As amended by HB 12, carrying without a permit is lawful for eligible persons.
Who Cannot Carry
Prohibited persons include: convicted felons, fugitives from justice, persons addicted to alcohol or controlled substances, persons who have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, persons subject to a protective order, persons convicted of domestic abuse battery, and persons convicted of certain misdemeanors within the past five years. Persons carrying without a permit must not be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance.
Prohibited Locations
Louisiana prohibits firearms in: law enforcement offices, detention facilities, courthouses, the state capitol and its grounds, any portion of a permitted establishment where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises (but a CHP holder may carry), school property (firearm-free zones per La. R.S. 14:95.2), churches (unless authorized), parades and demonstrations, and airports.
Purchase Requirements
No permit is required to purchase a firearm. All FFL sales require a NICS background check. Private sales do not require a background check. There is no waiting period, no state firearms registry, no assault weapons ban, and no magazine restriction.
Citations
La. R.S. Title 14 (criminal law, weapons offenses); La. R.S. 40:1379.3 (concealed handgun permits); HB 12 (2024).
Look up statutes at Louisiana Legislature →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →Louisiana statutes
Louisiana Legislature →This link goes to Louisiana's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.