Louisiana law generally prohibits a person from intentionally carrying a firearm, openly or concealed, while on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet, which includes any commercial establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold in individual servings for consumption on the premises, whether or not such sales are a primary or incidental purpose of the business of the establishment.¹ However, this prohibition does not apply to the owner, lessee, or employee of such an outlet, to law enforcement officers, or to a person possessing a firearm in accordance with a concealed handgun permit on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet which has been issued a Class A-Restaurant permit.²

Louisiana prohibits people from carrying guns in hospitals, but only if they are prohibited from possessing guns under state or federal law.³

A 2010 Louisiana law explicitly states that a person who lawfully possesses a firearm may possess or transport such firearm within the boundaries of a state park, state historic site, state preservation area, wildlife management area, or wildlife refuge.⁴

No concealed handgun permit is valid or entitles any permittee to carry a concealed weapon in any facility, building, location, zone, or area in which firearms are banned by state or federal law.⁵ In addition, no concealed handgun may be carried in any of the following:

• A law enforcement office, station, or building;

• A detention facility, prison, or jail;

• A courthouse or courtroom, provided that a judge may carry such a weapon in his or her own courtroom;

• A meeting place of the governing authority of a political subdivision;

• The state capitol building;

• Any portion of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under federal law, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, if the firearm is encased for shipment, for the purpose of checking such firearm as lawful baggage;

• Any church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship (unless the entity that owns or has authority over the church, synagogue, or mosque authorizes the concealed handgun permit holder to carry a firearm.)⁶;

• A parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity;

• Any portion of the permitted area of an establishment that has been granted a permit to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises; or

• Any school “firearm-free zone,” which generally includes a school campus, any area within 1,000 feet of a school campus, and within a school bus.⁷

Louisiana prohibits any person carrying or possessing a firearm while present in a polling place, except a peace officer in the performance of his or her official duties.⁸

These rules do not, however, limit the right of a property owner, lessee, or other lawful custodian to prohibit or restrict access to a person possessing a concealed handgun pursuant to a valid permit. No permittee may carry a concealed handgun into the private residence of another without first receiving the consent of that person.⁹

Louisiana has no statutes prohibiting firearms in sports arenas or gambling facilities, although administrative regulations may apply.

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1. La. Rev. Stat. § 14:95.5.[↩]
2. La. Rev. Stat. § 14:95.5(C).[↩]
3. 2018 LA SB 76 (signed by the Governor May 23, 2018), amending La. Rev. Stat. § 14:402.1(A).[↩]
4. La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1691).[↩]
5. La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(M).[↩]
6. La. Rev. Stat. §§ 40:1379.3(N)(8).[↩]
7. La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(N).[↩]
8. La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1461.7(C)(3).[↩]
9. La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(O).[↩]