TexasCHLforum.com

Jeff, you did well. Thanks for standing up for the rights of CHL holders. An impressive tale.

jmra wrote:

C-dub wrote:They're not really up to anything other than trying to keep the illegal guns out.

I'm not familiar with LA laws. Is there a law that prevents a CHL from carrying in NO during Mardi Gras?

Yes. Parades are off limits for CC.
G. No concealed handgun permit issued pursuant hereto shall authorize or entitle a permittee to carry a concealed handgun in any of the following:
9. a parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity;

This is a constant issue of debate within the CHL community in Louisiana. Most believe that "in" is different than "at" in the above quoted law and that the prohibition is for participants, not spectators. Of course, at best this is one of those issues where you might be the rap, but not the ride. NOPD has unequivocally said this is not their interpretation of the law and the Orleans Parish DA was one of the most vocal opponents of the recent state constitutional change to strengthen gun rights language.

Interesting, I recently read a response by Wyndie Chifici to an inquiry regarding these matters on another forum. Wyndie is the civilian administrator who "runs" the concealed handgun licensing division at the Louisiana DPS. (In quotes because a trooper oversees the office, but she is known to be the person who really gets things done over there.)

From: Wyndie.Chifici@dps.la.gov [mailto:Wyndie.Chifici@dps.la.gov] On Behalf Of concealed.handguns@dps.state.la.us
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 9:28 AM
To: XXXXXX
Subject: Re: Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it relates to Parades


The permit does not prohibit a person from carrying while being a spectator.


01/28/2013 03:50 PM
To <concealed.handguns@dps.state.la.us>
cc
Subject Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it relates to Parades

I have a question concerning the Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it
relates to a parade that requires a permit, such as a Mardi Gras parade. I
understand that the concealed handgun permit does not authorize anyone to
carry a concealed handgun while participating "in" a parade. The question
that I would like clarified is whether or not the concealed handgun permit
authorizes a permittee to carry a concealed handgun while attending a parade
as a spectator?

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions necessary to
clarify the question that I am asking.

Thank you in advance for your response.

This is not my email exchange, so I would exercise caution. Plus, spending a few days in jail waiting to appear before a magistrate in Orleans Parish doesn't sound like a pleasant way to spend the Mardi Gras holiday.