Louisiana Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Louisiana have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Louisiana does not ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Louisiana does not require background checks for private firearm sales. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. All sales by licensed dealers must include a federal background check (NICS). |
| Is Louisiana a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Louisiana has Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws in place. |
| What kind of restrictions does Louisiana have? |
|
| Does Louisiana have any gun storage laws? | 🚫 No general safe storage law, but child access prevention may apply in specific situations. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Louisiana? | ✅ Yes. There is no law limiting the number of firearms purchased at once. |
| Does Louisiana have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. Louisiana does not have a red flag or ERPO law. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Louisiana? | 🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. No permit is required to purchase firearms. |
| Does Louisiana have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. There is no mandatory waiting period. |
🚫 No. Louisiana does not ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns.
🚫 No. Louisiana does not require background checks for private firearm sales.
✅ Yes. All sales by licensed dealers must include a federal background check (NICS).
✅ Yes. Louisiana has Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws in place.
- ℹ️ No permit or registration required to purchase firearms
- ℹ️ No waiting periods
- ℹ️ No magazine capacity or weapon bans
- ℹ️ Permit required for concealed carry (until July 4, 2024)
🚫 No general safe storage law, but child access prevention may apply in specific situations.
✅ Yes. There is no law limiting the number of firearms purchased at once.
🚫 No. Louisiana does not have a red flag or ERPO law.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required.
🚫 No. No permit is required to purchase firearms.
🚫 No. There is no mandatory waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Louisiana allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older (state constitution). |
| Does Louisiana allow Concealed Carry? | Permit required until July 4, 2024. ✅ After July 4, 2024: Permitless concealed carry legal for 18+ who are not prohibited persons. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Yes. Stun guns, tasers, and pepper spray are legal for self-defense. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places, personal property, and vehicles unless restricted by law or signage. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, police stations, government buildings, bars, and posted “no weapons” zones. |
| States honored? | ✅ Louisiana honors permits from all states that recognize Louisiana’s permit. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ States that recognize a Louisiana CHP include:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Kentucky concealed carry laws apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. Louisiana continues to issue Concealed Handgun Permits (CHPs) for reciprocity purposes. (CHPs) are issued by the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. |
✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older (state constitution).
Permit required until July 4, 2024. ✅ After July 4, 2024: Permitless concealed carry legal for 18+ who are not prohibited persons.
✅ Yes. Stun guns, tasers, and pepper spray are legal for self-defense.
✅ Most public places, personal property, and vehicles unless restricted by law or signage.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, police stations, government buildings, bars, and posted “no weapons” zones.
✅ Louisiana honors permits from all states that recognize Louisiana’s permit.
✅ States that recognize a Louisiana CHP include:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Kentucky concealed carry laws apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional. Louisiana continues to issue Concealed Handgun Permits (CHPs) for reciprocity purposes. (CHPs) are issued by the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal Information | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Louisiana Leadership
- Born: December 23, 1970 (St. Martinville, LA)
- Term Started: January 8, 2024
- Previous Role: Attorney General of Louisiana
- Born: September 28, 1957 (Champaign, IL)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2015
- Committees:
- Finance
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Born: November 21, 1951 (Centreville, MS)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2017
- Committees:
- Appropriations
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Judiciary