The defeat of five dangerous gun bills this legislative session marks a victory for gun sense in Louisiana. With the help of volunteers from the Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, lawmakers blocked five dangerous gun bills that would have threatened public safety in the state:
- Senate Bill 46, House Bill 4 and House Bill 6 sought to dismantle Louisiana’s concealed carry permitting system, eliminating the state’s current firearm training requirement and letting people, including some violent criminals, carry hidden loaded handguns in public with no permit and no training.
- House Bill 315 would have allowed people to carry loaded, hidden handguns on college campuses, in elementary schools and even in bars.
- House Bill 121 would have forced cities and towns to allow guns in public buildings, sports stadiums, rec centers, and even certain places that serve alcohol while exposing local officials to lawsuits for acting to protect public safety.
The legislature also demonstrated its commitment to common-sense gun laws by adopting a resolution designating June 2nd as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Louisiana. More than 30 legislators co-authored the resolution, which was passed unanimously by both chambers.
In response to these victories, Lori Maraist, volunteer with the Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said, “The defeat of these dangerous bills is a resounding victory for all Louisianans, and proves that our legislators aren’t afraid to put public safety above special interests. This year, Moms across our state were determined to push back against dangerous policies that threatened the safety of our communities. From successful visits to the capitol to driving hundreds of calls and emails, we made our concerns loud and clear, and our lawmakers heard us. We are thankful that our state representatives made public safety a priority. This is proof that we can all work together to keep guns out of areas in which they do not belong and maintain our state’s sensible gun laws.”
During the 2016 legislative season, the Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action launched a campaign to defeat these bills including:
- A successful lobby day at the State Capitol to meet with legislators to discuss the dangers posed by the gun lobby’s dangerous agenda.
- Volunteers testified before legislative committees and attended hearings.
- Hundreds of emails and calls to legislators urging lawmakers to vote against the reckless bills.
The tireless efforts of Moms Demand Action volunteers paid off when all five bills died or were withdrawn in quick succession in their respective committees, proving that legislators recognize the importance of putting the safety of Louisiana’s families and communities before the agenda of special interests.
This is just the beginning. The Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will continue to advocate for Louisiana’s policies to reflect public safety values, and to work with lawmakers to find common ground in the fight against gun violence.