Concealed handgun carry bill approved
Emily Holden and Leslie Presnall
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
The state House Criminal Justice Committee approved a widely-debated gun bill with an 11 to 3 vote Thursday after three hours of discussion.
House Bill 199, introduced by Rep. Ernest Wooton, of Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Charles parishes, would authorize concealed handgun license holders to exercise permits on higher education campuses.
The bill aims to limit a college or university's authority to regulate or prohibit concealed carry on campus.
Representatives Roy Burrell, Frank Howard and Barbara Norton voted against the bill.
The bill will advance to the House floor, where it will be discussed and voted on by all representatives.
Wooton said the bill applies to all members of a campus community, including faculty, staff and visitors in addition to students.
"This is not about students," Wooton said. "It's about concealed handgun holders on college campuses."
Wooton said he was motivated by the Virginia Tech shootings, although his main concern is the safety of those who would like to carry a concealed handgun.
Wooton said ignorance about handguns propagates a negative connotation about them.
"Most of this discomfort is caused when you don't know anything about handguns or weapons," Wooton said. "This permit law requires that you be totally familiar with your weapon, have the ability to use your weapon and qualify with the weapon."
The concealed carry permits process includes gun training, a police background check and a mental health check by a doctor. Applicants must be at least 21.
Wooton said he does not expect students to rush to apply for concealed handgun permit if the bill passes.
Everett Baudean, LSU Firearm Rights Coalition president, said he does not see a difference between college campuses and other areas in the state where concealed carry is allowed.
Maj. Lawrence Rabalais, LSUPD spokesman, did not comment during committee hearings, though his name was listed in opposition to the bill.
House Bill 199, introduced by Rep. Ernest Wooton, of Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Charles parishes, would authorize concealed handgun license holders to exercise permits on higher education campuses.
The bill aims to limit a college or university's authority to regulate or prohibit concealed carry on campus.
Representatives Roy Burrell, Frank Howard and Barbara Norton voted against the bill.
The bill will advance to the House floor, where it will be discussed and voted on by all representatives.
Wooton said the bill applies to all members of a campus community, including faculty, staff and visitors in addition to students.
"This is not about students," Wooton said. "It's about concealed handgun holders on college campuses."
Wooton said he was motivated by the Virginia Tech shootings, although his main concern is the safety of those who would like to carry a concealed handgun.
Wooton said ignorance about handguns propagates a negative connotation about them.
"Most of this discomfort is caused when you don't know anything about handguns or weapons," Wooton said. "This permit law requires that you be totally familiar with your weapon, have the ability to use your weapon and qualify with the weapon."
The concealed carry permits process includes gun training, a police background check and a mental health check by a doctor. Applicants must be at least 21.
Wooton said he does not expect students to rush to apply for concealed handgun permit if the bill passes.
Everett Baudean, LSU Firearm Rights Coalition president, said he does not see a difference between college campuses and other areas in the state where concealed carry is allowed.
Maj. Lawrence Rabalais, LSUPD spokesman, did not comment during committee hearings, though his name was listed in opposition to the bill.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
Duh
posted 5/02/08 @ 8:07 AM CST
Since when do we not list the party affiliation of elected officials when we print?
Jerry Odom
posted 5/02/08 @ 10:56 AM CST
I'm personally all for this even though I don't own a handgun myself. I'd rather individuals licensed to hold weapons have them as I feel this adds to the security and safety of the community. (Continued…)
ridiculous
posted 5/03/08 @ 1:13 PM CST
i think this is the stupidest thing that could possibly be passed. If a shooter did come to school it would just turn into a huge shoot-out because everyone would have a concealed weapon and just start shooting. (Continued…)
Tom Gresham
posted 5/04/08 @ 10:01 AM CST
Any student who turns in a paper with no research would get a poor grade, but many comments about this proposed law are done with no research.
All the "what if" comments reveal no knowledge that this is already law, and there are no problems. (Continued…)
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