State of Louisiana Archives: on Gun Control
Adrian Perkins:
Urge Senate to act on gun safety legislation
More than 200 mayors are urging the Senate to return to the Capitol to act on gun safety legislation amid criticism that Congress is failing to respond to back-to-back shootings that left 31 people dead. Four mayors from Louisiana signed the letter:
LaToya Cantrell (New Orleans), Sharon Weston Broome (Baton Rouge), Jamie Mayo (Monroe) and Adrian Perkins (Shreveport).
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Aug 8, 2020
Adrian Perkins:
Focus on reducing number of illegal guns in city
Perkins met with law enforcement leaders and members of the city council to talk about gun violence in Shreveport. The primary focus was public safety, but specifically they focused on reducing the number of illegal guns.
This topic was already on the mayor's radar because of a general spike in crime that normally happens over the summer. Perkins and Caddo Parish [Sheriff] Steve Prator came up with strategies to reduce gun violence.
Source: KTBS-TV ABC-3 on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Jun 26, 2020
Bill Cassidy:
Our 2nd Amendment freedom is in danger
Dr. Cassidy is proud to have an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. As the Sportsman's Paradise, Bill will fight to ensure that Louisiana will not surrender its right to practice these traditions, nor will it surrender
the right of its citizens to defend themselves. Under the agenda of President Obama and his liberal allies in Congress, our 2nd Amendment freedom is in danger.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Oct 22, 2014
Bill Cassidy:
Right to bear arms should not be infringed
Q: What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?A: The constitutional right of a law-abiding American citizen to keep and bear arms should not be infringed.
We as a country must take on and solve the root causes of crime and violence in our nation, not take away the means of everyday Americans to defend themselves and their families.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Clay Higgins:
We already have reasonable limits on 2nd Amendment rights
We already have reasonable limits on our 2nd Amendment rights. We already are a "well regulated" militia. No one can argue with that. The modern hysteria over guns is another example of our weakened society. Guns weren't really regulated at all prior
to the 60s in America. Throughout our history, prior to just 50 years ago, a child could purchase a gun from any seller, if daddy sent him with the money. Gun free zones are always the target of terrorists and criminals.
The club in Orlando was a gun free zone. Illinois laws almost completely eliminate 2nd amendment rights, yet Chicago suffers one of the highest murder rates in the entire free world. Nearly 300 have been murdered and hundreds more injured
in almost 1500 reported shootings, this year alone, in Chicago, a city where legal gun ownership is next to impossible. In Congress, I will be a strong advocate of our 2nd Amendment rights.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com
Dec 10, 2016
Eddie Rispone:
Opposes radical Left and their gun grabbing agenda
2020 Democrats are already threatening to enact strict gun control laws on law abiding citizens.
Sign our 2nd Amendment petition today to stand up to the radical Left and their gun grabbing agenda.
Source: Facebook posting on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2019
Foster Campbell:
Generally opposes additional gun control measures
Caroline Fayard and Foster Campbell are fighting over which vision of the Democratic Party is best for Louisiana. Campbell, a north Louisiana state senator for a quarter-century, has the backing of the state's top Democrat, Gov. John Bel Edwards.
But Fayard has been boosted by the support of high-profile New Orleans Democrats like Mayor Mitch Landrieu and consultant James Carville.In a sense, this is a proxy battle between Gov. Edwards and the Landrieus. Edwards' endorsement of
Campbell represents the continuing trend of north Louisiana Democratic populism stemming back to Huey P. Long, while the Landrieus are pushing the more progressive values of the party.
Fayard and Campbell align on major Democratic issues like
preserving the Affordable Care Act--with a few tweaks--and raising the minimum wage. They also depart from the party in the same places: They both describe themselves as anti-abortion, and they both generally oppose additional gun control measures.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on 2016 Louisiana Senate race
Sep 18, 2016
Foster Campbell:
Enforce the gun laws we already have on the books
Q: Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
A: No. I want to work to make sure we enforce the laws we already have on the books. If we do, we can prevent a large amount of gun violence.
Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2016
Foster Campbell:
Youth deer hunting season prior to regular season
Legislative Digest:- Proposed law establishes a special youth deer hunting season prior to the opening of the regular gun season.
- Proposed law allows both resident and non-resident youths to participate in the special season,
provided they have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved the department.
- Proposed law requires that a licensed adult accompany any youth participating in the special season, but only the youth may actually hunt.
-
Provides that the youth must have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved by the department.
-
Clarifies that the hunting season need not be the weekend immediately prior to the regular season
Legislative Outcome: Signed by the Governor - Act 69. (SB866/SB223 authored by Senator Foster Campbell)
Source: Louisiana 1999 legislative voting records: SB866
Mar 16, 1999
Garret Graves:
Additional restrictive gun control laws are unneeded
Q: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety?
GRAVES: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
John Bel Edwards:
I support gun rights, unlike national Democrats
Vitter went out of his way to tie state Rep. John Bel Edwards, the only major Democrat in the race, to President Barack Obama. Edwards responded that he differs from national Democrats on major issues, including his opposition to abortion and his support
for gun rights. Edwards also confirmed to Vitter that he voted for Obama for president and then added, "but I have never voted for David Vitter." The small studio audience laughed.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate
Oct 1, 2015
John Bel Edwards:
We need to do a better job with our background checks
While Mr. Edwards is a supporter of the Second Amendment and a lifelong hunter (he makes a point of telling me that all the guns he owns are for hunting),
he believes "that there ought to be sensible, reasonable restrictions in some areas. For example, I know that we need to do a better job with our background checks.
The overwhelming majority of gun owners are responsible, law-abiding people. And so that makes it a difficult dilemma.
I've come down as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. But I'm not somebody who just believes that there shouldn't be any regulation. That's not where I am on that issue."
Source: America Magazine on 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial race
Dec 14, 2018
John Bel Edwards:
Allow concealed carry in houses of worship
HB334: New law removes the prior law requirement that the congregation be informed that the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns by a concealed handgun permit holder.
Analysis by WWL TV-4 (May 19, 2020): Louisiana lawmakers are set to discuss a series of gun bills, including one that would allow a person to bring a concealed handgun into a house of worship.
HB 334 would allow a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a house of worship, if given permission from church leaders.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 72-24-9 on May/22/20; Passed Senate 23-9-7 on May/29/20; Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on Jun/11/20.
Source: WWL TV-4 on Louisiana legislative voting records HB334
Jun 11, 2020
John Fleming:
Perennial A rating from the NRA
Fleming said voters in his state are fed up with business as usual, and he promises to change that. "I want to go to the United States Senate because I want to bring Louisiana conservative values to the United States Senate and, frankly, to Washington,"
Fleming said. "Louisiana voters are so frustrated with Washington, so it's time we made a huge drastic change in the right direction."
Fleming boasts a lifetime 97 percent rating from the American Conservative Union. He scores 88 percent with Heritage Action and 86 percent with Conservative Review. Beyond that, he said he's strong on the core issues Louisiana voters care about most.
He also points to a consistent pro-life voting record and what he calls a "perennial A rating from the NRA."
Source: WND Radio on 2016 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 2, 2016
Lance Harris:
Allow concealed carry in houses of worship
HB334: New law removes the prior law requirement that the congregation be informed that the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns by a concealed handgun permit holder.
Analysis by WWL TV-4 (May 19, 2020): Louisiana lawmakers are set to discuss a series of gun bills, including one that would allow a person to bring a concealed handgun into a house of worship.
HB 334 would allow a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a house of worship, if given permission from church leaders.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 72-24-9 on May/22/20; State Rep. Lance Harris co-sponsored and voted YES; Passed Senate 23-9-7 on May/29/20; Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on Jun/11/20.
Source: WWL TV-4 on Louisiana legislative voting records HB334
May 22, 2020
Mitch Landrieu:
Youth deer hunting season prior to regular season
Legislative Digest:- Proposed law establishes a special youth deer hunting season prior to the opening of the regular gun season.
- Proposed law allows both resident and non-resident youths to participate in the special season,
provided they have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved the department.
- Proposed law requires that a licensed adult accompany any youth participating in the special season, but only the youth may actually hunt.
-
Provides that the youth must have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved by the department.
- Clarifies that the hunting season need not be the weekend immediately prior to the regular season
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 36-0-3 on Apr/29/99; passed House 100-0-3 on May/26/99; State Rep. Mitch Landrieu voted YES; Signed by Governor Murphy Foster on Jun/9/99
Source: Louisiana 1999 legislative voting records: SB223
Jun 12, 2001
Murphy Foster:
Youth deer hunting season prior to regular season
Legislative Digest:- Proposed law establishes a special youth deer hunting season prior to the opening of the regular gun season.
- Proposed law allows both resident and non-resident youths to participate in the special season,
provided they have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved the department.
- Proposed law requires that a licensed adult accompany any youth participating in the special season, but only the youth may actually hunt.
-
Provides that the youth must have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved by the department.
-
Clarifies that the hunting season need not be the weekend immediately prior to the regular season
Legislative Outcome: Signed by the Governor - Act 69. (SB223 passed Senate 36-0-3; passed House 100-0-3)
Source: Louisiana 1999 legislative voting records: SB866
Jun 9, 1999
Ralph Abraham:
Additional restrictive gun control laws are unneeded
Q: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety?
ABRAHAM: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Ralph Abraham:
We must protect our right to bear arms
100% Pro-2nd Amendment: We must protect our right to bear arms.
I'll stand with you to stop our federal government from taking away our freedom and the right to protect ourselves and our families.
Source: 2014 Louisiana House campaign website, RalphAbraham.com
Dec 5, 2014
Thomas Clements:
Second Amendment is the law of the land
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Absolute right to gun ownership"?
A: Law of the Land is the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues
Jul 31, 2016
Troy Carter:
Opposed concealed carry in houses of worship
HB334: New law removes the prior law requirement that the congregation be informed that the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns by a concealed handgun permit holder.
Analysis by WWL TV-4 (May 19, 2020): Louisiana lawmakers are set to discuss a series of gun bills, including one that would allow a person to bring a concealed handgun into a house of worship.
HB 334 would allow a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a house of worship, if given permission from church leaders.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 72-24-9 on May/22/20; Passed Senate 23-9-7 on May/29/20; State Rep. Troy Carter voted NO; Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on Jun/11/20.
Source: WWL TV-4 on Louisiana legislative voting records HB334
May 29, 2020
Gary Chambers:
Ban the sale of military-grade assault weapons
Gary would work to enact background checks on all gun sales. As federal law currently stands, while licensed gun dealers are required to conduct background checks, numerous unlicensed dealers are not held to the same standards,
providing loopholes that give access to guns to abusers and people with troubling histories.The only purpose of a military-grade assault weapon is to harm other humans. You cannot use an assault weapon for hunting.
According to Everytown research: "In the 12 years from 2009 to 2020, mass shootings that involved an assault weapon accounted for 25 percent of all mass shootings deaths and 76 percent of injuries."
We need to get these weapons out of the hands of those who would perpetrate these crimes. Both the shooter in Buffalo and the shooter in Uvalde used assault weapons.
Source: 2022 Senate campaign website ChambersForLouisiana.com
Oct 12, 2022
Luke Mixon:
Calls for background checks on all gun sales
Luke Mixon, a Democrat campaigning to defeat U.S. Sen. John Kennedy this fall, is calling on Kennedy to support requiring background checks on all gun sales. "Background checks will not stop every shooting death,
but they will save lives," Mixon said. "Moreover, 90% of Americans support this measure. Background checks are a good start, and the time to act is now."
Source: The Advocate on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
May 28, 2022
Shawn Wilson:
Gun owner, favor s universal background checks
Like Edwards, Wilson supports increasing the minimum wage, paying women the same amount for equal work as men and raising teacher pay this year by as much as $3,000 per year. Like Edwards, he is a gun owner who opposes
taking guns away from law-abiding citizens but favors background checks on the purchases of weapons at gun shows and garage sales.
Source: Times-Picayune on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2023
Jeff Landry:
Tireless advocate for our constitutional right to bear arms
Jeff Landry is a defender of the Second Amendment and a tireless advocate for our constitutional right to bear arms. Jeff grew up hunting and fishing in South Louisiana, so he was raised to respect firearms and learned how to use them properly.
In Congress and as Attorney General, Jeff Landry fought and won countless battles to defend our Second Amendment rights. Because Jeff understands these rights "shall not be infringed."
Source: 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial campaign website JeffLandry.com
Mar 21, 2023
John Schroder:
Will only do business with banks that support gun rights
The Bond Commission unanimously voted to give Wells Fargo the state's refinancing contract after concerns were raised last month about JPMorgan Chase & Co., the bank originally selected to handle the deal. Republicans on the
Bond Commission are upset that JPMorgan refuses to do business with gun manufacturers who sell military-style weapons to consumers.The vote highlights the extent to which the Bond Commission will go to shore up its credentials on gun rights. "I'm not
selling our Second Amendment rights to corporate America," State Treasurer John Schroder, the Bond Commission chairman, said. Banks that seek to do business with the Bond Commission already have to affirm on a questionnaire that they do not infringe
on the "constitutionally protected rights of the citizens of the State to lawfully keep and bear arms," before their applications are approved.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Nov 18, 2021
Sharon Hewitt:
I support the right of citizens to carry a concealed gun
I support the Second Amendment and the constitutional right of citizens to carry a concealed gun. I enjoy training with my local sheriff deputies to make sure that I am safely using my gun and am confident in using it. In the last few years,
I have learned to hunt and fish, bringing new meaning to me as a lifelong resident in the Sportsman's Paradise. One of the proudest moments for me was the day that my dad gave me his 28-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns. He was so happy!
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website SharonHewitt.com
Oct 3, 2023
Sharon Hewitt:
Allow concealed carry in houses of worship
HB334: New law removes the prior law requirement that the congregation be informed that the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns by a concealed handgun permit holder.
Analysis by WWL TV-4 (May 19, 2020): Louisiana lawmakers are set to discuss a series of gun bills, including one that would allow a person to bring a concealed handgun into a house of worship.
HB 334 would allow a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a house of worship, if given permission from church leaders.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 72-24-9 on May/22/20; Passed Senate 23-9-7 on May/29/20; State Sen. Sharon Hewitt voted YES; Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on Jun/11/20.
Source: WWL TV-4 on Louisiana legislative voting records HB334
May 29, 2020
Tim Walz:
Students should worry about pop quizzes not mass shootings
High school students should be worried about pop quizzes and prom dates--not mass shootings. And that's why, as Governor, I've made it a point to take on the NRA. Last year, we implemented red flag laws and strengthened background checks. Tonight,
I'm urging the legislature to join me in making our schools and our communities a little bit safer still by strengthening requirements for safe storage of firearms, reporting lost and stolen guns, and increasing criminal penalties for straw purchasers.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 26, 2024
Cleo Fields:
Youth deer hunting season prior to regular season
Legislative Digest:- Proposed law establishes a special youth deer hunting season prior to the opening of the regular gun season.
- Proposed law allows both resident and non-resident youths to participate in the special season,
provided they have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved the department.
- Proposed law requires that a licensed adult accompany any youth participating in the special season, but only the youth may actually hunt.
-
Provides that the youth must have participated in a hunter education program taught or approved by the department.
- Clarifies that the hunting season need not be the weekend immediately prior to the regular season
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 36-0-3 on Apr/29/99; passed House 100-0-3 on May/26/99; State Sen. Cleo Fields voted YES; Signed by Governor Murphy Foster on Jun/9/99
Source: Louisiana 1999 legislative voting records: SB223
Jun 12, 2001
Cleo Fields:
Opposed concealed carry in houses of worship
HB334: New law removes the prior law requirement that the congregation be informed that the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns by a concealed handgun permit holder.
Analysis by WWL TV-4 (May 19, 2020): Louisiana lawmakers are set to discuss a series of gun bills, including one that would allow a person to bring a concealed handgun into a house of worship.
HB 334 would allow a concealed handgun permit holder to carry a concealed handgun in a house of worship, if given permission from church leaders.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 72-24-9 on May/22/20; Passed Senate 23-9-7 on May/29/20; State Sen. Cleo Fields voted NO; Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on Jun/11/20.
Source: WWL TV-4 on Louisiana legislative voting records HB334
May 29, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026