Urge State Lawmakers to Clarify the Right of Carry Permit Holders

[ejt1469]

Urge State Lawmakers to Clarify the Right of Carry Permit Holders to Protect Themselves in Restaurants

Debate, surrounding state legislation during the 2013 session and a subsequent Louisiana Attorney General opinion on the issue of off-duty police officers carrying firearms in outlets offering alcoholic beverages, has highlighted a potential conflict between the concealed carry law and another section of criminal law that must be resolved.
Under R.S. 14:95.5, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in any commercial establishment where alcohol is served for consumption on the premises. The only exceptions to this are for owners or employees and law enforcement officers acting in the course of their official duties. Although the concealed carry law clearly states that bars, not restaurants, are off-limits to license holders, another subsection of that statute prohibits permit holders from carrying in any area where firearms are banned under state or federal law. That subsection, read in conjunction with R.S. 14:95.5, is where the potential conflict arises.
It is critical that the state legislature clear up any confusion during this session and confirm that Louisiana is among the 47 states that allow the carrying of firearms for personal protection in restaurants that serve alcohol.
House Bill 72, sponsored by state Representative Joe Lopinto (R-Metairie), and House Bill 20, sponsored by state Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Bossier City), clarify that concealed handgun permit holders may possess firearms in restaurants which serve alcohol. Both bills have been referred to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.
Contact information for committee members can be found here – please respectfully urge them to support HB 72 & HB 20.
Senate Bill 68, sponsored by state Senator Bob Kostelka (R-Monroe), mirrors House Bill 72 clarifies that concealed handgun permit holders may possess firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol. SB 68 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary B Committee.
Contact information for committee members can be found here - please respectfully urge them to support SB 68

 

[charlie12]

I hope the get it straight

 

[general mills]

I will send some letters tonight!

 

[AustinBR]

I hope the get it straight

+1

 

[Robhic]

I will supply my list (I made this morning) of the house members' emails for sending them letters/messages about this bill:

lopintoj@legis.la.gov
morenoh@legis.la.gov
adamsb@legis.la.gov
larep100@legis.la.gov
browntr@legis.la.gov
larep002@legis.la.gov
larep041@legis.la.gov
hazelc@legis.la.gov
hodgesv@legis.la.gov
honored@legis.la.gov
howardf@legis.la.gov
landryt@legis.la.gov
macks@legis.la.gov
nortonb@legis.la.gov
pylants@legis.la.gov
woodruffe@legis.la.gov

I asked them to help us un-muddy the water and give CC permit holders the right to legally and safely carry a weapon to protect ones' self and family in a restaurant that served alcohol as long as we avoided the bar area, drinking and getting drunk! Who could ask for more? I DID! For a bit of levity, I asked them to please pass the bill so my writing down of all their email addresses wouldn't have been a time waster for me!!! Hopefully they'll see the humor I intended ....

 

[Robhic]

I guess everyone's happy with the law as it is.

 

[Gerberman]

Good information thanks!

 

[323MAR]

I will write them in favor of the bill. It is not right for people to have to break the law in order to be safe.

 

[jjb518]

I guess everyone's happy with the law as it is.

i will be happy with the laws as soon as they make them so that i can carry wherever i please without a permit