HLS 15RS-3578 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 179
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
WEAPONS/FIREARMS: Creates the Firearm Safety Task Force
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To establish the Firearm Safety Task Force to study and make recommendations on actions
3 necessary to prevent firearm violence and firearm accidents and to encourage
4 responsible firearm ownership practices among Louisiana's citizens.
5 WHEREAS, Article I, Section 11 of the Constitution of Louisiana guarantees the
6fundamental right of Louisiana citizens to keep and bear arms which shall not be infringed;
7and
8 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has a compelling interest in protecting the citizens
9of this state; and
10 WHEREAS, ensuring the safe and effective use of firearms is a responsibility which
11is of paramount importance; and
12 WHEREAS, Louisiana, like many states, has a high crime rate and the state is
13adversely affected by firearm violence; and
14 WHEREAS, Louisiana has a large population of firearm owners; and
15 WHEREAS, Louisiana has significant rural and urban populations, and both are
16affected by firearm violence; and
17 WHEREAS, public policy is best shaped by bringing together diverse viewpoints and
18finding common ground.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana shall establish
20the Firearm Safety Task Force to study public safety, public protection, and firearm safety.
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HCR NO. 179
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall comprehensively investigate
2the causes and costs of firearm violence and firearm accidents in Louisiana. The task force
3shall investigate relevant contributing factors, including but not limited to:
4 (1) The current state of regulation of firearm ownership by the mentally ill.
5 (2) The utility and safety issues posed by various types of weapons in use in
6Louisiana, including handguns, shotguns, and various types of rifles.
7 (3) The potential costs and benefits of a waiting period for all firearm purchases in
8Louisiana.
9 (4) The potential costs and benefits of requiring background checks for all firearm
10purchases in Louisiana.
11 (5) The potential costs and benefits of allowing local governments to regulate
12firearms in order to address local needs.
13 (6) An evaluation of the impact of a culture of violence on the citizens of Louisiana.
14 (7) The availability of so-called junk firearms or "Saturday night specials".
15 (8) The circumstances and prevalence of violent crimes against police officers.
16 (9) An analysis of existing data on the use of firearms in violent crimes in the state
17of Louisiana, including:
18 (a) The type of firearm involved.
19 (b) Whether it was fired.
20 (c) Whether injuries or fatalities resulted.
21 (d) Whether the firearm was owned by the perpetrator, by an intended victim, or by
22another party.
23 (e) The differences in the use of firearms in violent crimes in urban and rural areas.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
25following members:
26 (1) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the
27House of Representatives and designated to serve as co-chair.
28 (2) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate and
29designated to serve as co-chair.
30 (3) One representative from the Louisiana Chapter of the National Rifle Association.
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HCR NO. 179
1 (4) The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or his
2designee.
3 (5) The federal-state coordinator for the Occupational Safety and Health Program
4within the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
5 (6) One representative of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
6 (7) One representative of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
7 (8) One representative of the Office of the Governor.
8 (9) One representative of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association.
9 (10) One representative of the Louisiana Board of Emergency Medical Services.
10 (11) One physician representative of the Louisiana Hospital Association.
11 (12) One representative of the office of behavioral health of the Department of
12Health and Hospitals.
13 (13) One representative of the office of public health of the Department of Health
14and Hospitals.
15 (14) Two representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including one
16associated with processing federal firearms background checks, chosen by the Special Agent
17in Charge of the New Orleans Division.
18 (15) One representative of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops.
19 (16) One representative of the Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of
20Social Workers.
21 (17) One representative of the Louisiana Chapter of the National Alliance for Mental
22Illness.
23 (18) One representative of the Coalition for Louisiana Progress.
24 (19) One representative of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this task force shall submit
26recommendations to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the
27Senate Committee on Judiciary C no later than January 15, 2016.
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HCR NO. 179
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)]
HCR 179 Original 2015 Regular Session James
Creates the Firearm Safety Task Force to study and make recommendations on actions
necessary to prevent firearm violence and firearm accidents and to encourage responsible
firearm ownership practices among Louisiana's citizens, and to report its findings to the
House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on
Judiciary C no later than Jan. 15, 2016.
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