The original instrument was prepared by Carla S. Roberts. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Ashley
Menou.
DIGEST
SB 402 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session Riser
Present law, providing for concealed handgun permits, specifies that no concealed handgun may be
carried into and no concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to present law shall authorize or entitle
a permittee to carry a concealed handgun in any church, synagogue, mosque, or other similar place
of worship, except as provided for in present law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law exception provides for the carrying of a concealed handgun in any church, synagogue,
mosque, or other similar place of worship, if the entity which owns or has authority over the church,
synagogue, or mosque has authorized any person issued a valid concealed handgun permit to carry
a concealed handgun in such place of worship. Present law requires the pastor, priest, minister, or
other church authority to inform the congregation of the authorization. Specifies that present law
will not be construed to authorize the carrying of a concealed handgun in a church, synagogue, or
mosque located on the property of any school or school property.
Present law further provides that present law will not be construed to limit or prohibit any church,
synagogue, mosque, or other similar place of worship from employing armed security guards who
are certified law enforcement officers or who are authorized to carry concealed handguns.
Proposed law retains present law and clarifies that the armed security guards may be employed or
designated, paid or a volunteer, so long as the security guards are either certified law enforcement
officers or authorized to carry concealed handguns.
Present law provides that any church, synagogue, or mosque authorizing the carrying of concealed
handguns will require an additional eight-hour tactical training class for those persons wishing to
carry concealed handguns in the church, synagogue, or mosque. Present law requires the training
to be conducted annually.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that the eight-hour tactical training class is required
only if the entity which has authority over the religious organization or the owner of the building's
liability insurance policy requires the additional training.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 40:1379.3(U)(2) and (5)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Makes technical changes.