Gun Bill in Louisiana Transformed into School Safety Bill
Louisiana lawmakers are trying to find a way to address school safety in light of the recent school shooting in Texas that resulted in the deaths of 19 children and 2 teachers.
How Can Louisiana Protect Schools?
But the legislative session is winding down and the only way to take action now is to amend an existing bill. That's what's been happened with Oil City Representative Danny McCormick's bill on guns. McCormick has been pushing a measure to let Louisiana residents carry a concealed gun without a permit.
Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert added amendments to the measure in a Senate committee. One proposal would create provisions for a school safety officer and the concealed carry portion has been removed.
Lambert also wants schools to be able to appoint a teacher or administrator to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says the appointed individual will also have to go through the certification process.
Why Has Original Bill Been Gutted?
But several concerns came up about why the Constitutional carry portion of the bill was being stripped. The answer seems to center on concerns the Governor would veto the bill because of that provision as he did last year with a similar concealed carry bill.
Governor Edwards has made comments again this year that he still opposes a concealed carry provision that strips the licensing process. He says some kind of training should be required.
The bill is headed to the full Senate, but it might be deferred to the Finance Committee to get an update on the possible cost. The current Legislative session must wrap by Monday evening at 6pm.
The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry concealed without a permit.
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