(Editor’s note: Part 1. Next: The new adults)
By Pat Culverhouse
Louisiana’s legislature forwarded to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk a number of bills during its special session on crime which began last month, with some of those addressing issues that had previously been rebuffed during former Gov. John Bel Edwards’ terms.
One of the more high profile pieces of legislation will allow state residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Senate Bill 1 passed 75-28 after failing to move through the system for the past three years.
That legislation also lowered the age to legally carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18 years of age. Louisiana is one of a few states that will now allow 18-year-olds to conceal/carry without a permit, and will not require training.
Supporters say criminals will be more cautious if they believe a potential victim might be carrying a weapon. Opponents believe carrying without a permit, or necessary training, will result in more violence, especially when the lowered age limit is factored.
Minden’s Chief of Police sees both sides of the argument, but supports the lower age limit…with a couple of understandings.
“I’m pro every responsible person carrying a firearm, with an emphasis on responsible, once they become 18,” Chief Jared McIver said. “If you can go to the military and possibly die for your country at age 18, I see nothing wrong with being able to carry a weapon.”
McIver said he knows those who enter the military will receive extensive, often specialized, weapons training that’s not available to the average 18-year-old. It does not mean, however, that a weapon in the hands of a younger person is guaranteed to be dangerous.
“Maybe what scares people most about this bill is hearing that an 18-year-old is able to carry a concealed firearm with no training,” he said. “Some might use this as a way of predicting more gun crimes, more violence. I just don’t see it that way.”
Approving the right to carry a firearm, even without a permit, is simply giving back to Americans a basic right they’ve had for centuries, McIver said.
“It’s a Constitutional right…we’re giving the Constitution back to the people,” he said. “I would much rather that good people have a gun if they meet criminals who have a gun. Laws are made for people. We do not need to handcuff good people.”
McIver said one portion of the conceal/carry bill which seems to trouble some opponents is the lack of a training requirement. Training can begin even before an individual becomes of legal age to carry a concealed weapon, he pointed out.
“I would challenge parents to begin teaching their children gun safety, how to shoot, all the information they can provide as they build toward the legal age,” he said. “Educating them and having the talk is better than hiding or sheltering.”
When youngsters come of age, self-protection should be a part of their life skill, the Chief said.
“Parents who send their kids to college or into a career should feel good knowing their child enters the world prepared and they’ve been trained responsibly,” he said. “Good people need to protect themselves from criminals who intend to do them harm.”
McIver said stringent laws do little to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Laws, he said, are written for people who are law-abiding citizens while criminals have no intention of following the rules.
“The good will do good; the bad will do bad things and a thousand more gun laws will not keep guns from infiltrating our cities,” he said. “We’ve seen gun laws become politicized and it seems we’re rewarding the criminal and criminalizing good people with all the restrictions.”
Politics should be taken out of consideration when the safety of individuals is concerned, McIver said. Safety is, and should be, the first priority of every law enforcement officer, individual and elected official on both a personal and national level.
“Let’s set politics aside and remember that what’s right is right, and it’s right that we should be more concerned about our borders,” he said. “We’re seeing some very bad people coming here…a cocktail of gang members and people who might intend our country harm. If people can cross our border so easily then it’s easy to move items like guns across to facilitate whatever activities they might undertake.”
McIver said people should not be made to feel afraid to go safely about their daily activities. While some may try to find fault in laws, like the state’s new conceal/carry, benefits to the average citizens are many.
“This is a good law that requires personal responsibility. People should educate themselves about a gun and practice as much as possible, preferably at an approved firing range under supervision,” he said. “Do everything you can to prepare yourself to use your gun. Then, hope you never have to use it.”