Article #3: Louisiana Constitution Carry

Louisiana Constitution Carry: What YOU NEED TO KNOW

On March 5, 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 1 into law, and on July 4, it became legal for eligible adults to carry a concealed firearm in Louisiana without a permit. For gun owners across the state, this change raised a lot of questions. Who qualifies? Where can you carry? Do you still need a permit? What hasn’t changed? This article walks you through everything you need to know about Louisiana’s Constitution Carry law, how it affects your daily life, and why you might still want a permit even if you don’t need one.

WHAT CHANGED IN LOUISIANA

For years, Louisiana required a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to carry a concealed firearm. The new law changed that. As of July 4, 2024, any person 18 or older who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law may carry a concealed handgun without applying for or holding a permit. The law went into effect statewide on July 4, with New Orleans following on August 1, 2024.

The change expanded Louisiana’s existing constitutional right to carry a firearm openly into the concealed carry space. Before this law, open carry was already legal in Louisiana for eligible adults. Now, concealed carry enjoys the same protection.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR CONSTITUTION CARRY

Not everyone can carry under the new law. To qualify for permitless concealed carry in Louisiana, you must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Legally allowed to possess a firearm under both state and federal law
• Not a convicted felon
• Not prohibited due to domestic violence convictions, certain mental health adjudications, or other disqualifying factors

If you meet those requirements, you can carry concealed without a permit anywhere in Louisiana where concealed carry is legally allowed. If you do not meet those requirements, obtaining or carrying a concealed firearm without a permit remains a crime.

WHERE YOU CANNOT CARRY

Constitution Carry does not mean you can carry everywhere. Louisiana still prohibits concealed firearms in certain locations, with or without a permit:

• Bars holding a Class A-General liquor license (places where alcohol is the primary business)
• Public buildings, courthouses, and government facilities
• Schools and school zones (within 1,000 feet of a school, unless you hold a valid CHP)
• Libraries
• Law enforcement facilities
• Private property where the owner has explicitly prohibited firearms
• Federal buildings and any location where federal law prohibits firearms

CONCEALED CARRY WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE

An important limitation added alongside Constitution Carry: it is illegal to carry a concealed firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance. This applies regardless of whether you are carrying under Constitution Carry or with a permit. Louisiana takes this seriously, and violating it can lead to criminal charges even if you were otherwise legally carrying.

DO YOU STILL NEED A PERMIT

You don’t need a permit to carry concealed in Louisiana anymore, but there are still benefits to getting a Concealed Handgun Permit:

• Reciprocity: A Louisiana CHP is recognized in other states that have reciprocity agreements with Louisiana. Constitution Carry only applies inside Louisiana.
• School zones: CHP holders can legally carry in school zones, which are otherwise prohibited for permitless carriers.
• Qualified immunity: Permit holders receive additional legal protections under the new law for lawful defensive firearm use.
• Faster response at checkpoints: Showing a permit can simplify interactions where lawful carry needs to be verified.

If you travel outside Louisiana, carry near schools, or want the added legal protections, a CHP is still worth obtaining.

PRIVATE PROPERTY AND BUSINESS RIGHTS

The Constitution Carry law does not override private property rights. Business owners, landlords, and lessees can still prohibit firearms on their property by posting clear notice. If a business asks you to leave while carrying a firearm and you refuse, you can be charged with trespass. Respect posted signage and property policies.

FIREARMS IN YOUR VEHICLE AT WORK

Louisiana law protects your right to keep a firearm in your personal vehicle on your employer’s property, even if the employer has a no-firearms policy on the premises. The firearm must be stored in a locked, privately-owned vehicle in a parking lot, parking garage, or designated parking area. Employers cannot prohibit this, though they may forbid firearms in company-owned vehicles and inside the workplace itself.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Constitution Carry is a significant change for Louisiana gun owners, but it comes with responsibilities. The law expanded your right to carry, but it did not remove all the rules. You still need to know where you can and cannot carry, you cannot carry under the influence, and you must respect private property rights. For anyone who carries regularly, travels across state lines, or wants maximum legal protection, a Concealed Handgun Permit is still a smart investment.

You’re covered here at Parish Tactical. We stock a variety of handguns that are designed for concealed carry. holsters, belts, and EDC gear you need to stay comfortable, and confident under Louisiana’s new constitution carry laws. Whether you’re brand new to carrying or dialing in your everyday setup, we offer a curated selection of reliable concealment options to help you carry smart and stay prepared. As always #PrepareWithParish