BATON ROUGE, La. (March 5, 2018) – A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill prefiled in the Louisiana House would make it legal for state residents 21 and over to carry a firearm without a license. Passage of the bill would also foster an environment hostile to federal gun control.
Rep. Barry Ivey (R-Baton Rouge) prefiled House Bill 412 (HB412) on March 1. Under the proposed law, any Louisiana resident age 21 or over not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law could carry a concealed firearm without a license
Under HB412, state residents would still be able to obtain a license in order to legally carry concealed in states that have conceal carry permit reciprocity with Louisiana.
While constitutional carry bills do not directly affect federal gun control, widespread passage of permitless conceal carry laws in states subtly undermines federal efforts to regulate guns. As we’ve seen with marijuana and industrial hemp, a federal regulation becomes ineffective when states ignore it and pass laws encouraging the prohibited activity anyway. The federal government lacks the enforcement power necessary to maintain its ban, and people will willingly take on the small risk of federal sanctions if they know the state will not interfere. This increases when the state actively encourages “the market.”
Less restrictive state gun laws will likely have a similar impact on federal gun laws. It will make it that much more difficult for the feds to enforce any future federal gun control, and increase the likelihood that states with few limits will simply refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
State actions like passage of HB412 would lower barriers for those wanting to the option of defending themselves with firearms and encourages a “gun-friendly” environment that would make federal efforts to limit firearms that much more difficult.
“Constitutional carry is a big step toward being able to exercise a natural right that has been infringed at all levels for far too long,” ShallNot.org campaign lead Scott Landreth said.
WHAT’S NEXT
HB412 will be officially introduced after the regular session convenes on March 12. The bill will be referred to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee where it will have to pass by a majority vote before moving forward in the legislative process.
