Although the 2014 Louisiana Legislative Session is still in, the bills that Bearco Training has an interest in have come to an end.
Here are the changes in an email format to share.
I would like to thank those who were active during the 2014 session.
The following bills have passed both the House and Senate. Unless vetoed by Governor Jindal (which is highly unlikely) they will become law on August 15th.
If you click on the bill’s pages, you may view how the house and senate voted on these. If your representative or senator supported these bills, then you should probably send them a quick thank you.
One more note: The NRA and LSA (Louisiana Shooting Association) were both instrumental in getting many (or all) of these passed. If you are not already, then I would suggest becoming a member of both groups. It is a small price to pay for positive legislation like this. They were also in Baton Rouge protecting us from the numerous bills that would not have been in the best interest of gun owners.
And the last note: I’m already working on future legislation to expand our rights in these areas and more. If you would like to see something change, what would it be?
HB 72 – Clarifies that concealed carry permit holders may carry in restaurants that serve alcohol and allows for off-duty law enforcement officers to carry in bars.
Bill Info: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=223693
HB 1066 – was to make some technical changes in our statues to be within ATF compliance so that Louisiana CHP holders purchasing a firearm through an FFL dealer may show their permit and bypass the NICS check. If this becomes law, LA still needs to apply (and be grated) for a waiver with the ATF to make the process complete.
Bill Info: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=225407
HB 325 – Changes and expands LA R.S. 14:19 (Use of force or violence in defense) so that the use of force is justified when committed by a person legally inside a dwelling, a place of business, or a motor vehicle when the conflict began, against a person who is attempting to make an unlawful entry into the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle, and the person using the force or violence reasonably believes that the use of force or violence is necessary to prevent the entry or to compel the intruder to leave the dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle.
This bill was spearheaded by the Home Defense Foundation of New Orleans.
Bill Info: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=224037
HB 186 – allows for the use of lawfully-owned suppressors while hunting game animals. In 2011, the Louisiana Legislature legalized the use of these devices for hunting non-game nuisance quadrupeds. Now the state is poised to join the majority of other states which allow their use for taking game. Suppressors help prevent hearing loss, mitigate noise complaints and can increase the safety for both experienced and novice hunters.
Bill Info: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=14RS&b=HB186&sbi=y
HB 280 – Reduces concealed carry permit fees for members serving and veterans of the US armed forces. The new fee will become ½ of the original fee. $125 for a 5-yr permit will become $62.50
Bill info: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=223992
HB 160 – Bans binary exploding targets when mixed in quantities greater than 5 pounds. These are Tannerite type targets. This bill was originally outlawing all binary explosive targets, but because of the opposition of the NRA, LSA and many others in Baton Rouge, we were able to get this changed to larger quantities.
Bill Info: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=223817&sbi=y