There is no minimum age to possess rifles and shotguns in Louisiana but Louisiana law generally prohibits juveniles (defined as people under 17 years of age) from knowingly possessing a handgun,¹ and prohibits any person from selling or otherwise delivering for value any firearm to a person under age 18.² Lack of knowledge of the minor’s age is not a defense.³

This general prohibition does not apply if the juvenile is:

• Attending a hunter’s safety course or a firearms safety course;

• Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range;

• Hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license pursuant to the laws of Louisiana;

• Traveling to or from any of the above activities while in possession of an unloaded gun;

• On real property with the permission of his or her parent or legal guardian and with the permission of the owner or lessee of the property;

• At his or her residence and possesses a handgun with the permission of his or her parent or legal guardian; or

• Possessing a handgun with the written permission of his or her parent or legal guardian, provided that he or she carries on his or her person a copy of such written permission.⁴

 Federal age restrictions impose stricter limits.

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1. La. Rev. Stat. § 14:95.8(A).[↩]
2. La. Rev. Stat. § 14:91(A).[↩]
3. Id.[↩]
4. La. Rev. Stat. § 14:95.8(C).[↩]