Louisiana’s ‘constitutional carry’ bill

WELCOME TO THE WDSU HOT SEAT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. TOMORROW MORNING, THE LEGISLATURE GOES INTO SESSION FOR THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION. A LOT OF KEY ISSUES TO GET TO. THE BIGGEST BEING A LOT OF MONEY IN THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO FEDELRA SPENDING. LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE HOW TO CUT THAT MONEY UP, WHERE IT GOES AND WHAT IT IS MOST NEEDED T. STATE REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD NELSON — ALL OF YOU ALL, THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE. LET’S JUMP RIGHT OUT THE GATE HERE AND START WITH LANDRY. IS IT SAFE TO SAY THE UNDERLYING THEME OF THIS SESSION IS FEDERAL DOLLARS AND HOW TO CUT THAT UP AND SPEND AT THIS SESSION? >> EVERY DAY IS GOING TO BE ABOUT WHERE IS THAT MONEY GOING? IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA, WERE LOOKING AT MONEY FOR DRAINAGE FOR THE SEWERAGE A WNDATER BOARD POWERING PLANT FOR ROADS, FOR BUILDINGS THAT ARE OWNED BY THE STATE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED IN DECADES. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT, BUTT I IS GOING TO BE DIVIDED UP IN A WAY THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE HAPPY. TRAVERS: REPRESENTED OF WILLARD, IF YOU COULDAR CRY ON THE CONVERSATION HERE. YOU REPRESENT A DISTRICT IN GENTILLY AND LAKEFRONT UNTIL HE. LOGIT AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. A LOT OF ISSUES WITH SEWERAGE AND WATER BOARD WITH POWER GOING OUT RECENTLY. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO? -GIVE THAT MONEY BACK TO PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE BUDGET REQUIREMENTS WHEN IT RELATES TO INFRA STRUCTURE IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, PARTICULARLY IN FROM HOMEOWNERS RESIDENTS IN GENTILLY ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE STATUS OF JUST RO ADS AND STREETS INTO THE GENTILLY AREA. PROJECTS THAT HAVE SAT STILL FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS AND SOME TIMES ENEV LONGER WAITING FOR THE WORK TO BE COMPLETED AND SO WE ARE EXCITED FOR ALL OF THIS MONEY COMING THROUGH AND IT IS A PRIORITY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO SPEND THIS MONEY ON ONE-TIME EXPENSES BECAUSE IT IS NOT REOCCURRING MONEY THAT ICOS MING DOWN FOR US. WE CAN DO A WORTHWHILE SPENDING FOR LOUISIANA. TRAVERS: LET IT MINISTRATION WAS CRITICIZED FOR PUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS FOR USG INONE-TIME MONEY AND NOT KNOWN ONE-TIME MANNER. LET’S TALK NORTH SHORE. IS TT HASOMETHING YOU’RE GOING TO FOCUS ON WHEN IT COMES TO THIS MONEY TO? >> IF YOU ASK THE MAJOR ISSUE, THEY WOULD SAY TRAFFIC BECAUSE THERE CERTAIN TIMES THE DAY WERE YOU JUST DON’T LEAVE BECAUSE WE NEVER JUST GET THERE. PUT SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS, FOR I-10 AND I-12 WHITING THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE A FEW OTHER ONES SOME FUNDING THAT WE NEED TTHA THIS FUNDING WOULD GET –ET G THOSE CHOQUE FUND — CHOKEPOINTS THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE RIVERS AND LAK TESTHA WE NEED TO FIND AND GET AROUND THEM EFFICIENTLY. TRAVERS: LET’S STICK WITH YOU AND GO IN REVERSE ORDER HERE. REDISTRICTING JUST HAPPENED. IT IS A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE. WHAT ARE THE KEY BIG-TICKET ITEMS FOR THE GOP FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR THIS SESSION? >> ARE TREHE ANY? OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR JUST VETOED THE CONGRESSIONALAP M HOPEFULLY A SOLUTION TO THE OVERRIDE OR THAT VETO SO THAT THE COURTS DO NOT DRAW THE MAP IF POSSIBLE. EDUCATION, I HOPE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FOCUS ON EDUCATION. WHERE THE MONEY FOLLOWS THE CHILD IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. IN DEMOCRAT OR RUBEPLICAN, WE ALL HAVE 144 DIFFERENT DICTATE IDEAS ON HOUSTON THE MON.EY SEE, THAT ONE TIME ON NOT SPENDING THE ONE-TIME MONEY ON RECURRING EXPENSES. THEY WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GO. THE UNFUNDED TENSION LIABILITIES, THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO SPENDT I BECAUSE I THINK EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND ON THAT SAVES ABOUT FOUR. THE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK ON THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND THAT MONEY. TRAVERS: I THINK THAT IT’S REFRESHING TO HEAR BECAUSE HE KNOW IWAT S NOT DONE THAT WAY IN THE PAST. ON THE ASKED BOTH OF YOU THE QUESTION WERE PRESENTED WILLARD AND REPRESENTATIVE LANDRY, WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES FOR THE NEW ORLEANS — YOU BOTH HAVE GOOD WOINGRK RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT AS A DELEGATION FROM ORLEANS PARISH, WHAT DO YOU ALL BRING TO THE TABLE IN BANTO ROUGE THE THINGS THAT START TOMORWRO? >> WE MAKE SURE THAT NEW ORLEANS GETS ITS FAIR SHARE. OUR CRITALIC NEED IN ITS AREA OF FUNDING IS GETTING A POWER SUBSTATION FOR SEWERAGE AND WATER BOARD BECAUSE WE DESPERATELY NEED THAT. WE WILL GO BACK TO THE STATE AND TRY TO GET MORE MONEY FOR THAT. AS FAR AS THE ENTIRE DELEGATION GOES, IT IS PEOPLE CENTRIC POLICIES. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EDUCAONTI AND ARTS AND BILLS OUT THERE THAT ARE VERY DISCOURAGING AND ARE ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO TELL TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH AND WHAT TO TEACH IN THE CLASSROOM AND IT KIND OF TIES THEIR HANDS AT A INPOT WHERE WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME RECRUITING TEACHERS AND ARE CLASSROOMS ARE BEING TAUGHT BY SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS. CAT WILL BE A CONCERN AND REPRESENTATIVE LANDRY, AND LET HER TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT SHE HAS A EAGRT GUN BILL THAT IS OF CONCERN FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND WOULD DO US A LOT OF GOOD IF IT WERE TO PASS. I WILL LET HER TALK ABOUT THAT. TRAVERS: IF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE IT IS SPIKING NOT JUST IN NEW ORLEANS, BUT ALL THE WHILE THE COUNTRY COMES WHAT IS YOUR GUN BILL AND HOW DO YOU THINK WOULD BENEFIT THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS? >> THE STATE HAS RESTRICTIONS ON GUN CONTROL MEASURES THAT LOCALITIES CAN PASS, AND WE ARE BASICALLY, OUR HANDS ARE TIED IN NEW ORLEANS WHERE WE CANNOT PASS MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THE STATE HAS. IT IS CALLED A LOCAL PREEMPTION BILL AND IT WOULD ALLOW THE CYIT , JUST THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS TO PASS OUR OWN BILLS AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TALKS ABOUT THE CITY ABOUT IF WE CAN COME UP WITH A PACKAGE TO BRING TO THE TABLE. IF THIS IS GOING TO BE A HARD ONE, THAT YOU ARE RIGHT, GINVE THE UPTICK IN VIOLENCE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS OUR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND WHAT WE NEED TO NEW ORLEANS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE REST OF THE STATE. ALSO BRINGING TO THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SO WE ARE WORKING FIRST AND FOREMOST ON NEEDS TO THE CITY AND FINALLY, THERE ARE TAX BILLS BEING PROPOSED THAT THE CITY IS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT COULD HAVE EFFECT ON CITY REVENUE AND PLANNING FOR YEARS TO COME. WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US THIS YEAR. TRAVERS:EA RLLY QUICKLY, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS. IS THIS SIMILAR TO WHAT NEW YORK CITY HAS DONE WHERE THE CITY IS SEPARATE TO GUN LAWS INTEREST OF THE STATE IN NEW YORK, AND IT HAS BEEN AN UPHILL FIGHT IN THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THERE IS A HUGE PUSH BACK FROM THE GUN LOBBY AND THE N,RA WHAT HAPPENS IN NEW ORLEANS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE REST OF THE STATE. IS THAT WHY THIS ISOS IMPORTANT BECAUSE NEW ORLEANS AND BATON ROUGE ARE OUTLIERS WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR POPULATION BASIS AS IS THE REST OF THE LOUISIANA GOES? >> THERE IS POPULATION BASE, BUT THERE IS ALSO, THIS WAS NUMBER BEFORE COVID, BUT WE GET 19 MILLNIO VISITORS A YEAR. WE HAVE ENORMOUS EVENTS, MARDI GRAS, JAZZ FEST, FESTIVALS ALL THE TIME, WE HAVEIF DFERENT NEEDS HERE. WE HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUES, BUT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TDOO THIS IN A WAY THAT IS SPECIFIC TO US AND IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. THAT IS THE IDEA, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT IS BETTER FOR US AND IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME THAT IS RIGHT FOR SHREVEPORT. BEING A MANDEVILLE COME UP LET’S TALK ABOUT COVID-19. IT IS BEEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, 2020 SESSION WAS HALTED AND RESUMED HER BRIEFLY. LAST YEAR YOU D AID SSIESON IN THE MIDST OF PEOPLE GETTING THEIR VACCINATIONS AND THERE WAS GREAUNT CERTAINTY, BUT THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY WITH COVID, MOST PEOPLE FEEL WE ARE REACHING THE END OF THE LINE AND MAYBE AN END TO MAKE HERE, HOW MUCH OF AN UNDERLYING THEME DOES COVID HAVE IN THIS SESSION YOUR OPINION? >> GENERALLYI, THINK MOST OF US HAVE BEEN — MOVED ON WITH IT. MOST OF US AND MOVED ON ALREADY AND IN NEW ORLEANS,OU Y STILL HAVE VACCINE PASSWORDS, BUT THE REST OF THE STATE AND IT JUST GETS HIT WITH TTHA, WE HAVE JUST MOVED ON A LONG TIME AGO, BUT THERE IS SLLTI SOME — THE GOVERNOR IS PASSING LITIGATION MEASURES ANDRYING T TO REIN THAT END, BUT I THINK WE HAVE GONE DOWN THAT ROAD A COUPLE OF TESIM AND IT HAS BEEN SOME BILLS ELITE NOW, BUT AT ANOTHER KOBE ANYTHING THIS SESSION. MOST OF THE LEGISLATURE HAS MOVED PAST THAT N,OW BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN SPEND IT WISE,LY AND MAKE A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR FUTURE. TRAVERS: REALLY QUICKLY, I KNOW YOU TOO, AND WE HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN LEGISLATURE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. IT ARE TWO THISNG THAT MOST OF PEOPLE WATCHING THIS WOULD AGREE, DOES NOT HAVE TO BE WE WRIT OER WE LEFT, PEOPLE CAN GET ALONG FOR THE BEST, WHAT IS YOUR BIPARTISAN LEGISLATURE? >> A L OFOT THE ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH OURS BIPARTISAN IN NATURE. ONE AREA IS NOT IS RELATED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE PUT FORWARD A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD FOSTER ENTREPRENEURSHIPND A INNOVATION IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IN THE REAL DRIVER OF THAT IS ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION SO WE HAVE A DIVERSE GROUP OF MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE ACROSS PARTY ISLES THAT ARE SEEKING TO MAKE WORSE — WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS INTO THIS ECOSYSTEM TO FOSTER ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION FOR LOUISIANA. A LOT OF YOU WILL TALK ABOUT IT, BUT WE DO NOT SEE MUCH ACTION HAPPENING IN THETA STE. WE ARE PUTTING FORTH SOME ACTION THE SESSION. >>HI TNK THAT PHILLY IS ONE OF THOSE AVENUES WHERE WE KIND OF WORK TOGETHER ON. IN REALI,TY THERE 90% OF THE BILLS PASS WITHOUT OBJECTION. THIS IS THE 90% THAT AN NOT MAKING THE NEWSPAPER. TH AEYRE THE 10% WE FIGHT OVER. THIS KIND OF STEM AREAS THAT KEEP OUR KIDS HERE IN WE ARE ALL BEHIND THAT. MATT MY WORK TOGETHER ON THE INNOVATION TO TRY MAKE THAT A REALITY. TRAVERS: REPRESENTED LANDRY, HOW MUCH OF A ROLLED HIS HURRICANE IDA RECOVERY PLAN ISTH? NEW ORLEANS IS IMPACTED NOT QUITE AS GREATLY AS THE REST OF THE STA,TE BUT HOW MUCH OF THE CONVERSATION WILL CENTER ON HARDENING THE GRID AND MANGKI SURE THE STATE AS WELL AS POWER CARRIERS ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE NEXT STORM THAHIT TS THIS AREA? >> I THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THAT WILLE B PART OF IT, BUT WHAT I AM SEEING MORE OF AS FALLOUT FROM THEUR HRICANE IDA IS THE INSURANCE REFORM MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. THERE HAS BEEN S AWLE OF THOSE FILED MOSTLY BECAUSE OF TTHA HAVE HAD PAYOUTS BY THE INSURAENC INDUSTRY AND MOST OF THE BILLS OR BUY OR VULCANS. IT IS KIND OF REFRESHING. I DO NOT KNOW ABOUTAR HDENING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WE’LL SEE MORE IN INSURANCE REFORM. I HAVE ARE RELATED BILL WITH BIPARTANIS REPORT PERFECT TETSNE — BEING EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES AFTER THE HURRICANE, BUT THAT IS WHAT IS ON MY PERSONAL AGENDA FOR HURRICANE IDA. I THINK WE ALL NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY BECAUSE WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH SOME OF THESE BILLS. THE FACT IS YOU CAN’T OFFER SOMEONE $10,000 AND THEY HAVE $100,000 WITH THE DAMAGE. TRAVERS: IT IS A GREAT POINT WHICH I WISH WE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO DISCUSS MORE OF THAT BUT I HAVE TO WRAP THINGS UP. WE WILL TBEALKI TNGO YOU GUYS DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS OVER THE DURING SESSION. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, BUT THAT IS ALL OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE THE HOT SEAT. I AM TRAVERS MACKEL ANYOD U CAN SEE THIS ENTIRE SEGMENT STARTING TOMORROW MORNING ON OUREB WSITE WDSU.COM, AND WE WILL HAVE EXTENDED COVERAGE MONDAY MORNING AND ALL OF OUR NEWSCAST ON THE STAR

Louisiana’s ‘constitutional carry’ bill turned into ‘school protection officers’ proposal

Updated: 9:26 AM CDT Jun 3, 2022

By Greg Larose, LA Illuminator

A bill that would have allowed Louisiana residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training was transformed Wednesday into a proposal to arm teachers in classrooms. A Senate committee amendment to Rep. Danny McCormick’s so-called “constitutional carry” legislation appears to have derailed his pro-gun campaign for the second straight year.Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the same bill last year from McCormick, R-Oil City, and lawmakers failed to override it. While the governor has yet to announce his stance on this year’s version, his staff has said his concerns remain about the lack of a permit and training element.It’s all but guaranteed McCormick’s measure will look much different than last year if it reaches Edwards’ desk. House Bill 37 was gutted in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee once Sen. Eddie Lambert, R-Gonzales, amended it to instead allow volunteer “school protection officers” to carry concealed weapons on campus. To qualify for the role, a teacher or school employee would be required to undergo the same firearms training as police officers.“It’s better at addressing an issue that’s on everybody’s mind,” Lambert said while explaining McCormick’s original version of the bill would likely be vetoed again.The constitutional carry proposal appeared on the path to full legislative approval when the Senate Judiciary C Committee advanced the proposal a week ago Tuesday, just before news broke from Uvalde, Texas. An 18-year-old there had entered an elementary school with an AR rifle and killed 19 students and two teachers.Before the bill could go to the full Senate, it needed the go-ahead from a second Senate committee. It had been amended on the House floor last month to require Louisiana State Police to create an online firearms training course and a database of licensed instructors. The cost of those items, as well as the loss of permit revenue, needed approval from Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.During Thursday’s hearing, Sen. J. Rogers Pope, R-Denham Springs, pointed out that while the bill required the online training be made available, it did not compel gun owners to take the lessons.McCormick told the committee he would prefer that gun owners obtain training, but his issue is with the government mandating it. He turned to a refrain he’s used repeatedly when presenting his proposal.“My bill sends a clear message to people that we aren’t willing to compromise when it comes to their Second Amendment rights,” he said.Signs that McCormick’s bill wouldn’t sail smoothly through the committee came when Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, cited a survey of more than 1,000 of his constituents. Around 75% said they opposed concealed firearms bill that didn’t include a training component, according to results he shared at the hearing.An amendment Connick got added to the bill excluded two groups from being able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit: anyone committed by a coroner for mental health reasons and people taking part in a court-ordered drug rehabilitation program. Connick withdrew his changes once Lambert’s amendment made them unnecessary.Opponents of McCormick’s bill who appeared before the committee said they understood why Lambert wanted to respond to the Uvalde mass shooting, but they said arming teachers with guns isn’t the answer.“We all saw in Texas, which already has permitless carry, that they have resource officers in their schools, and that didn’t work out for them … That’s not the answer, to arm more people,” said Angelle Bradford with the Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action.The vote for Lambert’s amendment was 8-2, with Sens. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, and Mike Reese, R-Leesville, opposed. The bill was later advanced to the Senate floor without any objection.If the full Senate approves the bill, it will need to go back to the House for concurrence on the Lambert amendment. With the session coming to an end Monday, time could run out before then.

NEW ORLEANS —

A bill that would have allowed Louisiana residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training was transformed Wednesday into a proposal to arm teachers in classrooms.

A Senate committee amendment to Rep. Danny McCormick’s so-called “constitutional carry” legislation appears to have derailed his pro-gun campaign for the second straight year.

Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the same bill last year from McCormick, R-Oil City, and lawmakers failed to override it. While the governor has yet to announce his stance on this year’s version, his staff has said his concerns remain about the lack of a permit and training element.

It’s all but guaranteed McCormick’s measure will look much different than last year if it reaches Edwards’ desk. House Bill 37 was gutted in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee once Sen. Eddie Lambert, R-Gonzales, amended it to instead allow volunteer “school protection officers” to carry concealed weapons on campus. To qualify for the role, a teacher or school employee would be required to undergo the same firearms training as police officers.

“It’s better at addressing an issue that’s on everybody’s mind,” Lambert said while explaining McCormick’s original version of the bill would likely be vetoed again.

The constitutional carry proposal appeared on the path to full legislative approval when the Senate Judiciary C Committee advanced the proposal a week ago Tuesday, just before news broke from Uvalde, Texas. An 18-year-old there had entered an elementary school with an AR rifle and killed 19 students and two teachers.

Before the bill could go to the full Senate, it needed the go-ahead from a second Senate committee. It had been amended on the House floor last month to require Louisiana State Police to create an online firearms training course and a database of licensed instructors. The cost of those items, as well as the loss of permit revenue, needed approval from Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.

During Thursday’s hearing, Sen. J. Rogers Pope, R-Denham Springs, pointed out that while the bill required the online training be made available, it did not compel gun owners to take the lessons.

McCormick told the committee he would prefer that gun owners obtain training, but his issue is with the government mandating it. He turned to a refrain he’s used repeatedly when presenting his proposal.

“My bill sends a clear message to people that we aren’t willing to compromise when it comes to their Second Amendment rights,” he said.

Signs that McCormick’s bill wouldn’t sail smoothly through the committee came when Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, cited a survey of more than 1,000 of his constituents. Around 75% said they opposed concealed firearms bill that didn’t include a training component, according to results he shared at the hearing.

An amendment Connick got added to the bill excluded two groups from being able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit: anyone committed by a coroner for mental health reasons and people taking part in a court-ordered drug rehabilitation program. Connick withdrew his changes once Lambert’s amendment made them unnecessary.

Opponents of McCormick’s bill who appeared before the committee said they understood why Lambert wanted to respond to the Uvalde mass shooting, but they said arming teachers with guns isn’t the answer.

“We all saw in Texas, which already has permitless carry, that they have resource officers in their schools, and that didn’t work out for them … That’s not the answer, to arm more people,” said Angelle Bradford with the Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action.

The vote for Lambert’s amendment was 8-2, with Sens. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, and Mike Reese, R-Leesville, opposed. The bill was later advanced to the Senate floor without any objection.

If the full Senate approves the bill, it will need to go back to the House for concurrence on the Lambert amendment. With the session coming to an end Monday, time could run out before then.