By Pat Culverhouse

Louisiana has passed new legislation making it legal for its citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit, including lowering the age of those who will able to do so.

“Our new governor signed a constitutional carry law in Louisiana that makes it possible for any law abiding citizen who has never been convicted of a felony to carry a concealed weapon without applying for or obtaining a permit,” Ryan Barnette told Minden Lions Club members recently. “The major change is the law will apply to all persons 18 years of age and over.”

Before moving to a position in the private sector, Barnette served 16 years in law enforcement  and is a long-time concealed/carry instructor. His perspective on the new law?

“I like the law change. If you’re a good guy who wants to carry a gun for the right reason, it decriminalizes you,” he said.

Although Louisiana no longer will require permits for conceal/carry, Barnette believes there are still benefits to obtaining those documents.

“Louisiana has reciprocal agreements (to honor conceal/carry) with 38 other states,” he said. “If you’re traveling to these it will benefit you to have a state issued permit…they’re good if you are stopped for any reason by law enforcement. Another benefit is you can bypass a background check when buying a firearm. It’s a good idea to have a permit.”

Barnette said he isn’t bothered that the permitting process is no longer necessary, but there is one area that he would like to see addressed.

“I would much prefer they impose a training regulation rather than just hand out slips for carrying,” he said. “I am a huge proponent of firearm training…it should be for everyone who carries a firearm. As responsible gun owners, we should all be trained.”

And, he pointed out, lowering the age limit for permits is not as important as knowing how to properly handle firearms.

“An untrained 18-year-old is just as dangerous as an untrained 55-year-old,” he said.

Barnette also told Lions Club members there are three “Rs” that are important to proper training.

“Firearm training must be recent, relevant and realistic,” he said.

Proper firearm training could help gun owners if a case ever arose where circumstances forced a person to fire their weapon in self-defense.

“If you find yourself as a defendant, it’s always better to be able to say you’ve been trained, and to have the trainer testify on your behalf,” he said.

Barnette explained the legal grounds for a person to discharge a firearm in critical circumstances. He was responding to a question referring to a juvenile who allegedly was shot and killed while attempting to steal a car.

“Louisiana is a ‘stand your ground’ state. You are under no legal obligation to retreat from a violent attacker, even if you have the opportunity or ability to do so,” Barnette explained. “But  you cannot use lethal or deadly force upon another person in defense of property. You may do so only in defense of yourself or another person.”

Barnette also had advice for anyone who holds a permit to carry a concealed weapon and plans to travel out-of-state, events those with reciprocal agreements with Louisiana.

“You must abide by that state’s gun laws and some regulations may be strict. States have varying laws and it would be good to research those laws,” he said. “Something legal here may not be legal there, and ignorance of the law is not a defense.”