Louisiana Gun Laws

Louisiana operates their gun laws with a “Shall Issue” policy.

Residents of Louisiana are the only individuals who can receive a conceal carry license, while non-resident permits are not available.

Applicants must be at least a resident, 21 years or older, and have completed a firearms training course. Permit applications are processed at the state level by the Department of Public Safety.

There are two types of permits, a five year and lifetime permit. Honorably discharged veterans of the military can obtain a permit for free if they meet the criteria.

Louisiana Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted?	Yes – Louisiana allows for open carry for residents without a permit so long as they’re 18 years or older and legally allowed to own and possess a firearm.
Carry In Vehicle?	Yes – We had a difficult time finding specific legislation which stated the transportation of firearms in a vehicle, however we did find an opinion written by the police stating that individuals may carry a handgun in a vehicle as the vehicle is viewed as the individuals property.
Carry In State Park?	Yes – Louisiana allows for concealed in state parks so long as the individual has a concealed carry permit, or one in a state that Louisiana has a reciprocal relationship with.
Carry In Restaurants?	Yes/No – Restaurants that do not sell alcohol are okay for concealed carry. However, you may not carry a firearm into any establishment that primarily sells alcohol or into the bar areas of restaurants. Additionally, any establishment with a no weapons sign must be respected.
Constitutional Carry?	No – Technically Louisiana does have some constitutional carry language after August 1st, 2022. However, this is only for those who are active duty or veterans of the military. Anyone outside these criteria do not “qualify” for constitutional carry.
No Weapon Sign Enforced?	No – We were not able to find specific language around No Weapons signs, except for the code related to restaurants or establishments that sell alcohol.
Must Notify Officer?	Yes – Louisiana is a duty to inform state where you must notify the officer you’re carrying a firearm on you upon first interaction with them.

Louisiana CCW Reciprocity List

States Honoring CCW

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

States NOT Honoring CCW

California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Washington

Honors These States CCW Permits

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

How Reciprocity Works In Louisiana

Reciprocity Agreements In Louisiana

Louisiana: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

State parks
State and national forests
Road side rest areas
Vehicle
All areas of the state – except those listed below

Places Not Allowed

A law enforcement office, station, or building.
A detention facility, prison, or jail.
A courthouse or courtroom, provided that a judge may carry such a weapon in his own courtroom.
A polling place.
A meeting place of the governing authority of a political subdivision.
The state capitol building.
Any portion of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under federal law, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, if the firearm is encased for shipment, for the purpose of checking such firearm as lawful baggage.
Any church, synagogue, mosque or similar place of worship.
A parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.
Any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Restaurants are OK but you can’t carry in the bar area of a restaurant.
Any school firearm free zone (within 1000ft of a school or on a school bus).
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Louisiana: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

Yes

Without a Permit/License Open carry is legal if you are at least 18 years old as required by federal law. State law has set a lower age but Federal law overrides that.

Carry In Vehicle

Yes

Without a Permit/License The law does not prohibit the carrying of handguns in vehicles.

Carry In State Parks

Yes

You are permitted to carry in state parks, state forests, WMA’s and roadside rest areas

Carry In Restaurants

Yes/No

Restaurants that do not sell alcohol are okay for concealed carry. However, you may not carry a firearm into any establishment that primarily sells alcohol or into the bar areas of restaurants. Additionally, any establishment with a no weapons sign must be respected.

Constitutional Carry

On August 1st, 2022, Louisiana did pass a bill that could be considered constitutional carry. However, this is only for those who are active duty or veterans of the military. Anyone outside these criteria do not “qualify” for constitutional carry.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in the code from our research.

Must Notify Officer

Yes

Must Inform Officer on Contact By Law Louisiana gun laws state that you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business. You must also carry a permit at all times when you are in actual possession of a concealed handgun.

Additional Resources

Louisiana Concealed Carry Laws
Louisiana Open Carry Laws
Louisiana Gun Permit Laws