Louisiana State Law Summary

Posted on January 2, 2012

Last updated February 28, 2012

In our publication Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence, the Law Center ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 29 different firearms-related policy areas. Louisiana ranked 45th out of 50 – having some of the weakest gun laws in the country. Among other things, Louisiana does not:

Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private, unlicensed parties;
Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;
Require firearm dealers to obtain a state license;
Require firearm owners to obtain a license or register their firearms;
Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases;
Regulate unsafe handguns (“junk guns” or “Saturday night specials”);
Significantly regulate ammunition sales;
Allow local governments to regulate firearms; or
Give law enforcement discretion to deny a concealed handgun permit.

In 2009, Louisiana had the second highest number of gun deaths per capita among the states. 810 people died from firearm injuries in Louisiana in that year. In addition, Louisiana plays a significant role in gun trafficking. Based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns (“MAIG”), in 2009, Louisiana ranked 15th among the states in terms of the number of crime guns supplied to other states per capita.