Louisiana Governor Signs Law Expanding Concealed Carry Rights to Non-Residents

On “Juneteenth,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 407 into law, removing the state’s residency requirement for concealed handgun permits and expanding Second Amendment protections to non-residents. The law takes effect immediately.

The legislation, sponsored by Representative Ventrella, amends Louisiana’s concealed carry law (R.S. 40:1379.3) to allow any qualifying individual, regardless of residency, to obtain a permit. Previously, only Louisiana residents could apply for standard or lifetime concealed carry licenses.

Prohibitions for felony convictions or mental health adjudications remain in place.

Under federal law, a state-issued carry permit allows lawful carry within 1,000 feet of school zones, a provision that now extends to non-residents with Louisiana licenses.

The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), a key supporter of HB 407, said the law stems from its ongoing litigation in Mate v. Wescott, which challenges residency-based restrictions on carry rights.

“This critical change improves access to the right to bear arms,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “We thank Rep. Ventrella and Gov. Landry for their leadership.”

“Now it’s time for Congress to fix and pass H.R. 38 so that all Americans can exercise their right to bear arms without fear of arrest and prosecution,” Combs added.

H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, would allow individuals with a valid concealed carry permit from one state to carry a concealed handgun in any other state that permits concealed carry, preempting most state and local laws. It also extends protections to residents of Constitutional carry states and includes provisions for carrying on certain federal lands.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 18-9 to advance the bill to the full House, but it has not yet been scheduled for a vote, according to recent reports. FPC has reported issues with the bill in its current state that could potentially harm gun owners.