A house committed in Baton Rouge today approved a bill to allow anyone legally carry a concealed gun, even without a permit, as long as they don't have a criminal record.
OIl City Republican Danny McCormick's bill would let any adult who does not have a felony record carry a concealed handgun. Current law requires the state to issue a permit to anyone who completes an approved safety or training course, along with clearing a background check.
Chalmette Republican Ray Garofalo argued it is just extending the right to defend oneself to all law abiding citizens, pointing out that criminals will pack heat no matter what the law says.
"Why shouldn't an otherwise law-abiding citizen, all he wants to do is protect his family and his property, that's all he wants to do -- why should he have the same ability to conceal-carry that a criminal has?" Garofalo asked members of law enforcement at the Criminal Justice Committee meeting.
"Because while they may be protecting their family, they may also cause harm to their family without proper training," answered Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis.
Despite some opposition from lawmen, the bill passed the committee and is moving on to a house vote.
The legislature passed a similar bill last year that Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed, and it narrowly missed an override.
