Mardi Gras is ingrained into the fabric of New Orleans, but it’s a massive security undertaking that needs to be consistently revisited year to year. Former NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas has first-hand knowledge of the stresses of dealing with crowd control, safety issues, and much more during Mardi Gras. With security concerns remaining very high in the Crescent City, some are worried about Louisiana’s permitless carry laws when it comes to firearms and how those might conflict with the public’s greater sense of safety.
Can you carry a gun at a parade? Can you conceal carry a gun at a parade? Can you open carry a gun in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras? Serpas was able to give some clarity on the myriad questions Louisiana gun owners have when it comes to carrying during carnival season. “If you’re going to be an official part of a parade as a member of it, you cannot have a gun. If you’re participating in simply watching the parade on the neutral ground or on the sidewalk, you can carry if you have a concealed carry permit,” Serpas explained.
However, carry laws can also vary from business to business when you’re hopping around the French Quarter for Mardi Gras. “In the French Quarter, you can conceal carry unless the bar has a sign against it. There are also the normal exemptions for government buildings, schools, and those areas,” the former NOPD chief told WWL listeners. Serpas reminded Louisiana residents to be aware of these designations from place to place when attending parades in unfamiliar areas if you are planning to carry a legal firearm.
Serpas emphasized that while there are no enhanced penalties for carrying a gun along a parade route in Louisiana, using the gun recklessly in a parade area could lead to enhanced charges. Essentially, residents are told that if they are riding in a parade, they cannot have a weapon. Spectators can have weapons if registered and carried legally. Those in the French Quarter can carry weapons unless otherwise prohibited by a bar or business. Guns are also not allowed in school zones. While there has been talk of a “gun free zone” being created in the French Quarter, nothing concrete has come from that.