Louisiana Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes, without a permit. Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm can open carry.

[La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1382(A)]

Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited.

[LA. Rev. Stat. § 40:1811]

You must be at least 18 years old to concealed carry in Louisiana.

STUN GUNS and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit.

PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Louisiana imposes no restrictions on size or concentration, and individuals may purchase and carry pepper spray without a permit.

TEAR GAS - Legal for self-defense but subject to general misuse laws.

BEAR SPRAY - Legal for self-defense against wildlife. There are no specific state restrictions, but misuse against humans could lead to legal consequences.

BLUDGEONS AND BATONS - Expandable batons are legal to own and carry openly or concealed without a permit under Louisiana law.

Its such as billy clubs, slapjacks, and nightsticks are also legal unless used with criminal intent.

BRASS KNUCKLES - Legal under Louisiana law. The possession, manufacture, sale, and use of brass knuckles are permitted for individuals aged 18 or older. However, carrying brass knuckles into restricted areas such as schools, government buildings, or establishments serving alcohol is prohibited.

Yes, with a Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit or a permit from a state Louisiana recognizes.

[La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1691 and La. Admin. Code Tit. 25 Part IX § 313(C)]

Louisiana statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

No property owner, tenant, public or private employer, or business entity shall prohibit any person who lawfully possesses a firearm from transporting or storing a firearm in a locked, privately-owned motor vehicle in any parking lot, parking garage, or other designated parking area. However, firearms must be hidden from plain view or within a locked case or container within the vehicle.  This does not apply to properties where the possession of firearms is prohibited under state or federal law.

[La. Rev. Stat. § 32:292.1]

Yes. By Louisiana state law, you have a duty to inform law enforcement that you are carrying a concealed weapon.

[La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(I)(2)]

No. Not mentioned in state statutes.

Not while under the influence of alcohol (BAC of 0.05 or greater) or a controlled dangerous substance (when a blood test or urine test shows any confirmed presence of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in L.R.S. 40:961 and 40:964).

[La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(I)(1)]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No definition of brandishing was found in Louisiana law. However, negligent carrying of a concealed handgun is the intentional or criminally negligent carrying by any person when it is foreseeable that the handgun may discharge, or when others are placed in reasonable apprehension that the handgun may discharge, or when the handgun is being carried, brandished or displayed under circumstances that create a reasonable apprehension on the part of members of the public or a law enforcement official that a crime is being committed or is about to be committed.

[La. Rev. Stat. 40:1382]

Yes. As of August 1, 2020, there is statewide preemption of all gun laws. 

[La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1796]

Yes. Five-year concealed handgun permits issued on or after March 9, 2015 qualify. Lifetime permits do not qualify.

No. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check requirement, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply. It is recommended that you retain any sales receipts to prove ownership of the gun.

Yes. Carrying a handgun is permitted for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm, without a license, in or on property that the person carrying the handgun legally controls.

[La. Rev. Stat. 14:95.2(C)(4)]

No individual to whom a concealed handgun permit is issued may carry such concealed handgun into the private residence of another without first receiving the consent of that person.

[La. Rev. Stat. § 1379.3(o)]

5 years

Moving to Louisiana and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?Louisiana issues permits to residents and members of the military permanently stationed in Louisiana with a Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana state ID only. You can apply for your permit with the Department of Public Safety once you have a Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana state ID.

Moving from Louisiana and have a Louisiana resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Louisiana permit remains valid?According to LAC 55:I:1309.F, when a permittee ceases to reside in Louisiana the permit becomes invalid and must be returned to the Department of Public Safety. If the individual returns to Louisiana, he or she must reapply for a permit.

However, LRS 40:1379.3 J (4) states that a person who maintains a dwelling in Louisiana, but is residing elsewhere as a member of the United States military or as a student, is still considered to be a resident of Louisiana.

No state law on file

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Have completed a firearms training course;
• Be a resident of the state of Louisiana or a member of the military permanently stationed in Louisiana;
• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor in this or any other state relating to a controlled dangerous substance within the last 5 years;
• Not have been convicted of a crime of violence within the last 5 years;
• Not have been convicted of a crime of violence or any crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of 1 year or greater. However, a person who has been convicted of a violation of 18 U.S.C. 491(a) shall be permitted to qualify for a concealed handgun permit if 15 or more years have elapsed;
• Not have a history of engaging in violent behavior (there is a rebuttable presumption that an applicant has a history of engaging in violent behavior upon proof that, within the last 10 years, the applicant has, on 3 or more occasions, been arrested for or charged with any “crime of violence,” or has on 2 or more occasions been arrested for or charged with any crime of violence punishable by death);
• Not have had a permit revoked within 4 years prior to the most recent application;
• Not have had a permit denied within 1 year prior to the most recent application;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not be an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana, depressants, stimulants or narcotic drugs;
• Not have been adjudicated to be mentally deficient or been committed to a mental institution (unless the applicant’s right to possess a firearm has been legally restored);
• Not have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Louisiana.

• Any school campus or school bus;
• A law enforcement office, station or building;
• A detention facility, prison or jail;
• A courthouse or courtroom;
• A polling place;
• A municipal building or other public building or structure, only if the building or structure is utilized as the meeting place of the governing authority of a political subdivision;
• The State Capitol building;
• Any portion of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under federal law, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, if the firearm is encased for shipment for the purpose of checking such firearm as lawful baggage;
• A parade or demonstration for which a permit was issued by a governmental entity;
• A private residence of another without first receiving the consent of that person;
• Any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises (for restaurants with bars, the bar areas are off-limits);
• Designated gaming areas of casinos other than for full-time commissioned law enforcement officers who are on duty and within their respective jurisdiction or on-duty gaming security personnel who are licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners [La. Rev. State 42:17.2905]; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

La. Rev. Stat. §§ 40:1379.3(N) & (O)

Yes.

It is legal to own and open or concealed carry any knife in Louisiana, except that it is not legal to concealed carry an automatic switchblade or any other automatic knife. Knives may not be carried on the property of elementary, secondary, high schools, vocational-technical schools, school buses and school functions/activities. The City of Shreveport prohibits possession of weapons at government facilities and facilities owned by the city.

[LRS 14, § 95(4)(a), 95.2 & Shreveport Code § 50-135.2]