Louisiana expands concealed carry gun rights on Independence Day: Here's what it means

Louisiana's law-abiding adults 18 and older will be able to carry concealed guns without permits or training beginning on Independence Day when a new law authored by Republican state Sen. Blake Miguez goes into effect.

Miguez said the Fouth of July holiday is an appropriate day for the new law. The Legislature passed the law in February during a Special Session to address crime that was called by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry.

"This Fourth of July, we celebrate not only the birth of our great nation but also a pivotal moment in Louisiana’s history — the enactment of Constitutional Carry legislation," Miguez posted on X. "Louisiana now proudly joins the ranks of states that recognize the fundamental right to carry a firearm without the need for a government-issued permit."

Supporters of the legislation refer to it as "constitutional carry" because they believe the Second Amendment already grants that right.

“We are merely offering law-abiding citizens safety to exercise their self-defense rights without a fee or other governmental barriers from a violent criminal who has no regard for the law,” Miguez said in an interview with USA Today Network. "Government is not here to place barriers to our constitutional rights.

"Criminals already carry concealed handguns without government permission."

But opponents, like those from Moms Demand Action, have said concealed carry without the training and permits make the streets more dangerous for citizens and police.

Louisiana is already an "open carry" state, which means people can carry visible firearms without a permit or training.

Twenty-seven states already permit a form of concealed carry without permits, including all of Louisiana's neighbors.

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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1