A group of New Orleans officials went to the state capitol today urging lawmakers to create firearm-free zones in major entertainment districts like downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter.
It was in response to the recent passage of the "Constitutional Carry" law that will allow adults in Louisiana to conceal guns without a permit starting this summer.
New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno told state lawmakers that Sunday's mass shooting that killed one woman and wounded eleven other people in the Warehouse District is why there need to be areas in the city where people can not legally carry guns.
"We are very concerned that if we don't put in some type of exemption like this, we would have even more situations like this happening. So, we need something to be able to give law enforcement as many tools as possible."
State Representative Bryan Fotenot sighted NOPD stats in countering her argument.
"Forbidding honest, law-abiding citizens from carrying a firearm isn't helping your problem. Your own data shows your got tons of homicides in firearm-free zones. Adding another firearm-free zone, that I think infringes on my Second Amendment rights... the data just doesn't support that."
The bill allowing concealed gun carrying without a permit in Louisiana goes into effect on July 4th.
The bill was deferred, without a vote. It is not clear if it will be considered again. Typically a deferral signals a bill is dead for the session.
