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Legal Information: Louisiana

State Gun Laws

Updated: 
November 21, 2023

I am a victim of domestic violence and the abuser has a gun. Is that legal?

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 long-term 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 and
  2. If someone has been convicted of any of the following crimes, 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:

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” that 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 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)