HLS 10RS-477 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 68
BY REPRESENTATIVE HENRY BURNS
WEAPONS/HANDGUNS: Provides with respect to concealed handgun permits
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2) and (N)(8) and to enact R.S. 40:1379.3(U),2
relative to concealed handgun permits; to provide for the adoption of rules and fees;3
to authorize certain religious organizations to allow concealed handguns to be carried4
in places of worship pursuant to a valid concealed handgun permit; and to provide5
for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2) and (N)(8) are hereby amended and reenacted and8
R.S. 40:1379.3(U) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 9
ยง1379.3. Statewide permits for concealed handguns; application procedures;10
definitions11
* * *12
H.(1) 13
* * *14
(2) The deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of15
Public Safety and Corrections shall issue timely and without delay the concealed16
handgun permit to all qualified applicants, which permit shall be for a term of four17
years and which shall be valid in all parishes statewide. The division shall may18
promulgate rules for the purpose of providing for permits and fees for fewer than19
four years to the applicants requesting a shorter time period. Fees shall be reduced20 HLS 10RS-477 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 68
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proportionately for terms of fewer than four years. The permit shall be retained by1
the permittee who shall immediately produce it upon the request of any law2
enforcement officer.3
* * *4
N. No concealed handgun may be carried into and no concealed handgun5
permit issued pursuant to this Section shall authorize or entitle a permittee to carry6
a concealed handgun in any of the following:7
* * *8
(8) Any church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship,9
except as provided for in Subsection U of this Section.10
* * *11
U.(1) The entity which owns or has authority over a church, synagogue,12
mosque, or other similar place of worship shall have the authority to authorize any13
person issued a valid concealed handgun permit as authorized by the provisions of14
this Section to carry a concealed handgun in the church, synagogue, mosque, or other15
similar place of worship.16
(2) The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to limit or17
prohibit any church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship from18
employing armed security guards who are either certified law enforcement officers19
or who are authorized to carry concealed handguns pursuant to the provisions of this20
Section.21
(3) If the church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship22
authorizes the carrying of concealed handguns as authorized by the provisions of this23
Subsection, the pastor, priest, minister, or other authority of the church shall inform24
the congregation of the authorization.25 HLS 10RS-477 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 68
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Henry Burns HB No. 68
Abstract: Authorizes DPS&C to promulgate rules to provide for concealed handgun
permits for fewer than four years and authorizes religious organizations to authorize
carrying a concealed handgun in places of worship.
Present law provides for the mandatory adoption of rules and fees for permits fewer than
four years.
Proposed law changes present law and makes the adoption of rules and fees permissive.
Present law provides criteria for the issuance of concealed handgun permits and the carrying
of concealed handguns.
Present law prohibits carrying a concealed handgun in any church, synagogue, mosque, or
other similar place of worship.
Proposed law changes present law to create an exception if the entity which owns or has
authority over a church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship has authorized
any person issued a valid concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in such
place of worship.
Proposed law further provides that proposed law shall not be construed to limit or prohibit
any church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship from employing armed
security guards who are either certified law enforcement officers or who are authorized to
carry concealed handguns.
Proposed law requires the pastor, priest, minister, or other church authority to inform the
congregation when he has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns.
(Amends R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2) and (N)(8); Adds R.S. 40:1379.3(U))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill.
1. Removed provision which would have increased the period of time in which a
concealed handgun permit is valid.
2. Added that the adoption of rules and fees for permits valid for a period less than
four years was permissive and not mandatory.
3. Added requirement that the church authority shall inform the congregation when
it has authorized the carrying of concealed handguns in the place of worship.