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Two gun regulation bills received final approval by the Louisiana House on Tuesday. A third measure, to penalize the publication of concealed handgun permit information, will head to conference committee after its sponsor rejected Senate amendments to the bill.
House Bill 6, sponsored by Covington Republican John Schroder, got final passage in the House on Tuesday, with no opposition. The vote was taken to approve amendments added to the bill while it was on the Senate floor last week.
If signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, the bill will allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry their guns onto school campuses. The Senate added an amendment last week to have the legislation apply only to commissioned, certified law enforcement officers. All full-time law enforcement officers in Louisiana are already required to pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, firearms training course.
The House also passed Senate Bill 135, which also heads to Jindal's desk. Under the bill, any Louisianan who loses his right to possess firearms under state law would be reported to the state Supreme Court. The court would then send this information to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check, or NICS, system.
In Louisiana, a citizen can lose the right to bear arms if he: •Pleads guilty to a crime by reason of insanity.
•Lacks the mental capacity to proceed to trial for a crime.
•Is ordered involuntarily to be committed to an inpatient mental health treatment facility.
•Is convicted of a violent crime which is a felony.
•Is convicted of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law which is a felony.
•Is convicted of a sexual offense.
A nearly identical bill proposed by state Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton, is awaiting debate on the Senate floor
House Bill 8 was dealt a different fate Tuesday. The House voted to reject amendments, added by the Senate last week, that would have allowed the publication of concealed handgun permit holders' information -- such as name and address -- if the permit holder had committed a felony offense.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City, rejected the amendment and asked that the legislation be brought to a conference committee where a small group of lawmakers will debate the final language before giving final approval.
The original bill would place penalties on anyone who knowingly publicizes or releases for publication such information about concealed handgun permit holders. Penalties would include a $10,000 fine, six months in jail, or both. Law enforcement officers who share such information could be fined $500 and also spend six months in jail.
Thompson has said the legislation is largely a reaction to the publication of gun permit holders' names and addresses by the Lower Hudson Valley news service, The Journal News, in December.
The bill has received significant push-back from journalists, including The Advocate Executive Editor Carl Redman and Louisiana Press Association Executive Director Pamela Mitchell.
"I find it very ironic that the very people who screamed the loudest about attempts to limit their Second Amendment rights are here eager to limit my First Amendment rights," Redman said during a May 7 Senate committee hearing.
HB6 and 8 are part of a package of pro-gun rights bills making its way through the legislative process during the 2013 session. Last week, the Senate gave final passage to HB265, which would allow for lifetime concealed carry permits.
House Bill 6, sponsored by Covington Republican John Schroder, got final passage in the House on Tuesday, with no opposition. The vote was taken to approve amendments added to the bill while it was on the Senate floor last week.
If signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, the bill will allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry their guns onto school campuses. The Senate added an amendment last week to have the legislation apply only to commissioned, certified law enforcement officers. All full-time law enforcement officers in Louisiana are already required to pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, firearms training course.
The House also passed Senate Bill 135, which also heads to Jindal's desk. Under the bill, any Louisianan who loses his right to possess firearms under state law would be reported to the state Supreme Court. The court would then send this information to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check, or NICS, system.
In Louisiana, a citizen can lose the right to bear arms if he: •Pleads guilty to a crime by reason of insanity.
•Lacks the mental capacity to proceed to trial for a crime.
•Is ordered involuntarily to be committed to an inpatient mental health treatment facility.
•Is convicted of a violent crime which is a felony.
•Is convicted of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law which is a felony.
•Is convicted of a sexual offense.
A nearly identical bill proposed by state Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton, is awaiting debate on the Senate floor
House Bill 8 was dealt a different fate Tuesday. The House voted to reject amendments, added by the Senate last week, that would have allowed the publication of concealed handgun permit holders' information -- such as name and address -- if the permit holder had committed a felony offense.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City, rejected the amendment and asked that the legislation be brought to a conference committee where a small group of lawmakers will debate the final language before giving final approval.
The original bill would place penalties on anyone who knowingly publicizes or releases for publication such information about concealed handgun permit holders. Penalties would include a $10,000 fine, six months in jail, or both. Law enforcement officers who share such information could be fined $500 and also spend six months in jail.
Thompson has said the legislation is largely a reaction to the publication of gun permit holders' names and addresses by the Lower Hudson Valley news service, The Journal News, in December.
The bill has received significant push-back from journalists, including The Advocate Executive Editor Carl Redman and Louisiana Press Association Executive Director Pamela Mitchell.
"I find it very ironic that the very people who screamed the loudest about attempts to limit their Second Amendment rights are here eager to limit my First Amendment rights," Redman said during a May 7 Senate committee hearing.
HB6 and 8 are part of a package of pro-gun rights bills making its way through the legislative process during the 2013 session. Last week, the Senate gave final passage to HB265, which would allow for lifetime concealed carry permits.
