BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As Louisiana prepares for a new law to go into effect that allows those 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, a Republican-controlled committee pushed back Wednesday against bills seeking to restrict where people can carry guns.
Among the Democratic-authored legislation was a measure rejected along party lines that would have added child day care centers, early learning centers, developmental centers and nursing homes to the list of firearm-free zone. Places currently on the list include schools, churches, courthouses, police stations and the State Capitol.
Opponents of the bill argue that the measure threatens their Second Amendment right and that gun-free zones don’t stop criminals from committing violence.
“This is going to do nothing but restrict law-abiding citizens’ ability to defend themselves,” said Kelby Seanor, director of the National Rifle Association’s Louisiana chapter.
Takeaways from this week's reports on the deadly 2023 Maui fire that destroyed Lahaina
What Salman Rushdie says in 'Knife,' the memoir about his stabbing
Here's exactly what happens to Queen Mary if Frederik dies
How South Africa's former leader Zuma turned on his allies and became a surprise election foe
Snow, ice tourism heats up during New Year holiday
Karen Millen reveals she 'misses the cleaner' she had before going bankrupt
Former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster secures a new role in Japan
Ethnic army intercepts junta offensive on Thai
Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 releases promo video
Congress moving swiftly on bipartisan action to punish Iran after revenge attack on Israel
Ancient tea embraces new flavor