State Gun Laws

Under Louisiana state law, it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon under the following circumstances:

1. If someone has a final protective order against him/her, it is illegal to possess/carry while the order is in effect as long as:
   • the order includes a finding that the defendant represents a believable (credible) threat to the physical safety of a family member, household member, or dating partner; and
   • the order includes a notice to the defendant about this law and about the federal firearm law.¹
2. If someone has been convicted of any of the following crimes, it is illegal to possess/carry (as long as s/he was represented by a lawyer during the criminal case or s/he gave up the right to have a lawyer):

• domestic abuse battery;
• battery of a dating partner when the offense involves strangulation;
• battery of a dating partner when the offense involves burning; or
• a second (or third, fourth, etc.) offense of battery of a dating partner.²

In addition, anyone who was convicted of or found “not guilty by reason of insanity” of any of the following crimes cannot possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon for a period of ten years from the date of completing the sentence, probation, parole, suspension of sentence, or discharge from a mental institution by a court:

1. a “crime of violence” which is a felony;
2. various burglary crimes (for a complete list, go to our Selected Louisiana Statutes page);
3. manufacture or possession of a bomb or other incendiary device;
4. possession of a firearm while possessing or selling a controlled dangerous substance;
5. felony illegal use of weapons;
6. any violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law (LA R.S. 40.961 et seq.) that is a felony;
7. any crime defined as a sex offense; or
8. an attempt to commit any of these above-listed offenses.³

There are additional reasons why a person would not qualify for a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon. See What reasons would someone be denied a permit to carry a concealed handgun? for more information.

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, may restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun. Go to our Federal Gun Laws page to get more information.

¹ LA R.S. 46:2136.3
² LA R.S. 14:95.10(A), (C)
³ LA R.S. 14:95.1(A), (C)