State Gun Laws

Louisiana law makes it illegal for someone to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon while a long-term protective order is in effect if:

• the order includes a finding that the defendant represents a believable (credible) threat to the physical safety of a family member, household member, or dating partner; and
• the order includes a notice to the defendant about this law and about the federal firearm law.¹

In addition, if a person has a protective order against him/her that meets certain requirements, s/he would not qualify for a permit to carry a concealed handgun if s/he applied for one.² The requirements are:

1. the order was issued after a hearing;
2. the abuser has to be given notice of the hearing and an opportunity to attend – whether or not s/he actually attends doesn’t matter;
3. the abuser must be:
   • your current or former spouse;
   • a person with whom who you have a child in common; or
   • a person with whom you live or have lived in the past;³ and
4. the order of protection must contain the following specific legal language:
   • it has to forbid the respondent from harassing, stalking, threatening, or behaving in any way that causes the petitioner to fear physical injury for him/herself or his/her child; and
   • it has to say one of the following:
     • the abuser represents a threat to the physical safety of the petitioner or his/her child; or
     • the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the petitioner or his/her child is prohibited.⁴

Lastly, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict a person’s right to have a gun under certain circumstances, including when there is an order of protection that was issued after notice to the abuser and a hearing. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

¹ LA R.S. 46:2136.3
² LA R.S. 40:1379.3(C)(17)
³ 18 USC §§ 922(g)(8); 921(a)(32)​
⁴ 18 USC § 922(g)(8)