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Governor Edwards signs three gun rights bills, one dealing with concealed carry in churches, another targeting local gun restriction ordinances, and the last addressing rights during a public emergency.
Edwards says the first bill rewrites Louisiana law to specify that conceal carry is permissible in houses of worship if it is approved by that facility’s administrator.
“So if a church doesn’t want it they don’t have to have it,” said Edwards.
That bill was opposed by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and other church representatives testified against it in committee.
The mayors of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the Louisiana Municipal Association objected to another bill that would prohibit local governments from establishing gun-free zones in parks, playground and other public areas. Edwards doesn’t see the legislation to be controversial
“That one really was not any real block buster issue,” says Edwards.
The final bill outlaws state and local restrictions on the sale of guns and ammo during public emergencies. The bill sponsor says it was inspired by actions taken by the City of New Orleans during Katrina and other emergencies.
Edwards says his support for these bills should come as no surprise to anyone.
“Everybody knows that I have been a strong proponent of the second amendment but those three bills this year, quite frankly, I found them to be relatively on the moderate side,” says Edwards.
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