Louisiana gun control laws are among the least restrictive in the United States. Machine guns, submachine guns, and weapons with serial or ID numbers intentionally removed are prohibited. Louisiana does not have a waiting period for gun purchases but does have specific requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit.
The Louisiana Constitution states:
“The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged, but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person."
Learn more about Louisiana gun control laws in the table below. See Details on State Gun Control Laws for more general information.
| Relevant Statutes (Laws) |
Louisiana Revised Statutes:
- Title 14, Section 95: Illegal carrying of weapons
- Title 14, Section 95.1: Possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
- Title 14, Section 95.2: Carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in a firearm-free zone
- Title 14, Section 95.7: Possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated number or marks
- Title 14, Section 95.10: Possession of a firearm or carrying of a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and certain offenses of battery of a dating partner
- Title 40, Section 1379.3: Statewide permits for concealed handguns; application procedures; definitions
- Title 40, Section 1752: Handling of machine guns unlawful; exceptions
- Title 40, Section 1792: Possession of unidentifiable firearm; particular penalties; identification of source of firearm
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| Illegal Arms |
The following firearms are illegal to possess:
- Illegally obtained firearms
- Firearms where the serial number or individual identifying mark have been intentionally obliterated, altered, removed, or concealed
- Machine guns
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| Waiting Period |
There is no waiting period to purchase a firearm in Louisiana. |
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| Who May Not Own |
People are prohibited from owning a firearm if they have been convicted of, or have been found not guilty by reason of insanity for, a crime of violence that is:
- A felony
- Burglary
- Felony illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities
- Manufacture or possession of a delayed action incendiary device
- Manufacture or possession of a bomb
- Possession of a firearm while in the possession of, or during the sale or distribution of, a controlled dangerous substance
- Any crime which is defined as a sex offense
Additionally, people who have been convicted of an attempt to commit the above-listed crimes may not own a firearm. |
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| License Required? |
You need a license to purchase a gun in Louisiana. |
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| Conceal Carry License Required? |
You need a concealed weapon license to carry a concealed firearm. |
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| Open Carried Allowed? |
Louisiana permits open carry. |
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| Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License |
To get a concealed carry license, you must:
- Be a resident of the state of Louisiana
- Be at least 21 years old
- Not have a mental or physical disease, illness, or intellectual disability that prevents the safe handling of a handgun
- Not be a felon prohibited from possessing a firearm
- Not have been committed for the abuse of a controlled dangerous substance, been found guilty of a misdemeanor crime relating to a controlled dangerous substance within the last five years, or be presently charged with such a crime
- Not chronically or habitually abuse alcohol (A DWI conviction or treatment for alcoholism is evidence of alcohol abuse.)
- Not have been convicted of a crime of violence within the last five-years
- Not be a fugitive of justice
- Not be a user of marijuana, depressants, stimulants, or narcotic drugs
- Not have been adjudicated to be mentally deficient or been committed to a mental institution, unless your rights have been restored
- Not have been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
- Complete a firearm safety or training course
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| Machine Gun Laws |
It is unlawful to sell, possess, carry, or transport a machine gun except for exempt persons, including:
- Peace officers
- Members of the U.S. Military
- Guards or messengers employed by common carriers, banks, and trust companies
- Pay-roll guards or messengers
- Individuals possessing firearms that are relics of war
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| Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession |
The penalties for illegally carrying a firearm are:
- Up to 6 months imprisonment and up to a $500 fine
- Up to 5 years imprisonment for a second offense
- Up to 10 years imprisonment without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence for a third offense
- 1 to 2 years imprisonment and up to a $2,000 fine if the offender carried the firearm during the commission of a crime of violence
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| Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds |
Illegal possession of a firearm on school grounds is punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment and up to a $2,000 fine. |
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Louisiana Criminal Laws: Related Resources
Learn More About Louisiana Gun Control Laws from an Attorney
If you would like to know more about Louisiana firearm laws, there are many attorneys throughout the state with criminal defense experience who may be able to help. In addition to helping you with criminal charges, an attorney may be able to help you reclaim unlawfully confiscated firearms and restore an improperly revoked concealed carry license.