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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.

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Louisiana Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted? Yes!
Carry In Vehicle? Yes!
Carry In State Park? Yes!
Carry In Restaurants? Yes!
Constitutional Carry? No
No Weapon Sign Enforced? Yes!
Must Notify Officer? Yes!

Louisiana CCW Reciprocity List

  • 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

 

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

 

  • 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

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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

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.

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

YES

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

YES – In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol “Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Some restaurants may be posted with “NO GUN” signs. Check with the staff if this means just the bar area. If we have indicated a “Yes” then it should be legal to have a meal without drinking alcohol.

No

YES “No Weapons” signs have the force of law under Louisiana gun laws. There are legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs.

“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.

Gun Laws