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Louisiana’s House and Senate have each overwhelmingly passed bills that would allow people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit despite a veto threat from Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Thibodaux Republican Rep. Bryan Fontenot’s House Bill 596 cleared the House this week on a 73-28 vote, joining the Senate in providing veto-proof passage to a similar measure (Senate Bill 118) from Monroe Republican Sen. Jay Morris.
House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez of Erath said what supporters call “constitutional carry” is a top priority for those seeking to expand gun rights.
“It’s an affirmation of what we already believe is a constitutional right through the Second Amendment,” Miguez told USA Today Network.
FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Concealed carry: The issue that triggered rare dissent from Gov. Edwards on gun rights expansion
Both bills would allow anyone 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Current law allows concealed carry with a permit that requires training.
Permits would still be available for those who seek them for advantages such as traveling to other states that recognize Louisiana’s permit.
Though Fontenot said he believes training is valuable, “the Constitution says we have the right to possess firearms.”
Opponents, like those representing the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, warned allowing concealed carry without permits elevates the potential of illegal gun violence or accidental shootings.
Louisiana already allow people to carry visible firearms without a permit.
More: Will I need a permit to carry a gun in Louisiana? What we know about Senate Bill 118
The National Rifle Association noted the Legislature’s support in a tweet: “BREAKING: Louisiana NRA-Backed Constitutional Carry Bills PASSES Both Legislative Chambers With Bipartisan Super Majority Support There’s still work to do before it hits Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk. When that happens, we hope he stands to protect the Second Amendment.”
Until now Edwards has generally been a reliable vote for most gun expansion bills both when he served in the House and during his two terms as governor.
But Edwards has signaled he’ll break ranks with the NRA on the concealed carry expansion.
“That’s the right balance to strike, and I feel very strongly about that,” Edwards said of the current concealed carry law. “I also feel very strongly that a considerable majority of the people in Louisiana support the system we currently have.”
Edwards’ staff points to a poll from A Stronger Louisiana, a group that supports the governor’s agenda, that shows 80% of people surveyed want to keep the current permit requirement in place.
Miguez said he believes if Edwards vetoes the bill it’s a signal the governor doesn’t plan to run against Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy next year.
Edwards is the only Democratic governor in the Deep South and the only statewide elected Democrat in Louisiana. Term limits prevent Edwards from running for governor for a third straight term.
“Vetoing constitutional carry would severely hurt his political future in Louisiana,” Miguez said.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
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