Representative Danny McCormick (R) Oil City
State lawmakers have begun filing bills for the regular session that starts in March and north Louisiana Republican Danny McCormick has already filed his legislation to allow non-felons, 18 and over to conceal carry a firearm without a permit. McCormick’s measure ran into trouble in the state Senate last year.
“I think we’re going to get it passed this year, it’s just how bad we are going to get it watered down or is it going to be a true constitutional carry bill,” said McCormick.
This is the fifth consecutive year McCormick has authored a conceal carry bill. In 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the bill. McCormick pulled it from consideration last year after the Senate started to heavily amend the legislation.
Currently, Louisiana residents need a permit to conceal carry and to obtain the permit, a person must undergo firearm training. McCormick argues a gun owner can legally open carry in Louisiana and training is not required.
“I don’t think inserting a government class or a government fee, actually makes people more responsible, I think it just restricts their rights,” said McCormick.
McCormick, describes his legislation as a constitutional carry bill.
“The U.S. Constitution, the 2nd Amendment, gives us the right to carry firearms to protect ourselves, whether it be from an outlaw or threat from a radical government, whatever we need to be protected from that’s a God given right,” said McCormick.
McCormick looks forward to the debate in the regular session. Depending on the wording of the call for the special session on crime in February, he might also introduce the bill at that time.
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