Louisiana Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Louisiana: Gun Laws Summary

As a shall-issue state, Louisiana permits concealed weapons with the Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), which is available to residents and military members permanently stationed within the state. Non-resident permits are not available, but exemptions apply to non-residents in the military who possess a Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana state ID. Individuals must be at least 21 years old and complete a firearms training course to apply for a permit. Louisiana also recognizes permits issued by states that recognize Louisiana permits.

Private sales of handguns do not require permits, background checks, or firearms registration in Louisiana. The state also allows open carry of firearms in public without a permit for individuals at least 18 years old who are not prohibited from possessing firearms. Certain areas, such as parades and bars, are off-limits for open carry.

Use of Force in Defense:

Stand Your Ground

Louisiana is a Castle Doctrine state with a “stand your ground” statute. There is no duty to retreat in any place a person has the legal right to be before using force or violence, and a person may meet force with force.

Justifiable Use of Force

The use of force is justifiable in Louisiana when committed to prevent a forcible offense against a person or trespass against property in a person’s lawful possession, provided that the force or violence used must be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense. It is also justifiable to use force or violence against an unlawful entry into a dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle when the person using the force or violence reasonably believes that it is necessary to prevent the entry or to compel the intruder to leave.

Defense of Others

It is justifiable to use deadly force in Louisiana when it is reasonably apparent that the person attacked could have justifiably used such means himself, and when it is reasonably believed that such intervention is necessary to protect the other person. [La. Rev. Stat. 14:19, 14:20 & 14:22]

Louisiana: Gun Laws at a Glance


Does Louisiana allow constitutional carry?	No. Louisiana does not allow constitutional carry. As of August 1st, 2022, constitutional carry is legal for active duty military and veterans only. [La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(A)(1)(a)]
Is open carry permitted in Louisiana?	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)]
If Louisiana requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?	Louisiana is a shall-issue state.
Does Louisiana have ammunition restrictions?	Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. [LA. Rev. Stat. § 40:1811]
What is the minimum age in Louisiana to get a concealed carry permit?	You must be at least 21 years old to concealed carry in Louisiana.
Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Louisiana with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?	No. A Louisiana concealed carry permit only allows for the carrying of handguns.
Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Louisiana?	Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Louisiana.
Does Louisiana have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?	No. Louisiana places no restrictions on capacity for handgun magazines.
Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Louisiana?	Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit.

Louisiana: Carry Locations


Storing Firearms in Private Vehicles in Employee Parking Lots	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. 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]
Carrying a Concealed Handgun in a Vehicle	Yes. Per the Louisiana State Police (LSP) Concealed Handguns Frequently Asked Questions, under most circumstances, carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle is legal in Louisiana.
Carrying a Concealed Firearm at Roadside Rest Areas	Yes.
Carrying a Concealed Firearm in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas	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)]
Carrying a Concealed Firearm in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol	Any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises is off-limits for concealed carry permit holders. For restaurants with bars, the bar areas are off-limits. In addition, some establishments may post signs stating that firearms are not allowed. Based on the Louisiana State Police website, for purposes of concealed handgun law, a permittee is considered under the influence of alcohol when a blood alcohol reading of .05% or greater by weight of alcohol in the blood is obtained, or a blood or urine test shows any confirmed presence of a CDS. [La. Rev. Stat. § 95:5]
Firearms on Hotel Property	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.

Louisiana: Key State Laws


Can the public access Louisiana’s concealed carry registry?	No. The public cannot access the Louisiana concealed carry registry. [source]
Does Louisiana have preemption laws related to concealed carry?	Yes. As of August 1, 2020, there is statewide preemption of all gun laws. [La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1796]
Does Louisiana have a red flag law?	No. Louisiana does not have a red flag law. [source]
Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Louisiana?	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)]
Does Louisiana issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?	Yes, but only for members of the military permanently stationed in Louisiana with a Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana state ID. [source]
Is my Louisiana driver’s license linked to my Louisiana carry permit?	Yes. Your Louisiana driver’s license is linked to your Louisiana concealed handgun permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license. [source]
Is violating a “no guns” sign a criminal offense in Louisiana?	No. Not mentioned in state statutes. [source]
Does Louisiana state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in Louisiana law. Nonetheless, 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]
Does Louisiana have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance?	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.

Louisiana: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Background Checks for Private Gun Sales	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. [source]
Possession/Carrying of Handgun in Home	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. 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. [source][source]
Minimum Age for Possession/Transportation of Handgun	You must be at least 18 years old to transport or possess a handgun in Louisiana. [source]
Permit for Purchasing a Handgun	No. You do not need a permit to buy a handgun in Louisiana. [source]
Exemption from Background Check with Concealed Carry Permit	Yes. Five-year concealed handgun permits issued on or after March 9, 2015 qualify. Lifetime permits do not qualify. [source]
Waiting Period for Purchasing a Handgun	No. There is no waiting period to purchase a handgun in Louisiana. [source]
Handgun Registration	No. Handguns do not need to be registered in Louisiana. [source]