New concealed carry law will allow 18-year-olds to have guns without permit starting Fourth of July

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Louisiana has now become the 28th state to allow adults to conceal a weapon without a permit. KSLA News 12′s Miracle Garett talked to police and went to a gun range to see how this new law will impact gun owners. Governor Landry signed Senate Bill 1 back in March. The law allows citizens over 18, who are not convicted of a felony, to possess a firearm. It will go into effect on July 4. But what danger can this pose for other citizens? “Shreveport Police Department receives training annually. We go through a re-trainer program, which our officers are instructed and taught the newest laws and the newest techniques of law enforcement,” Cpl. Chris Bordelon said. Louisiana had the country’s second highest rate of gun related deaths in 2021. Will the state see a decrease in gun violence? “Well that’s something we’re going to have to wait and see; we don’t really know. There’s a lot of people that made claims on both sides. As law enforcement officers, we don’t get involved in the political disputes. Our job is to enforce the laws put before us and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do.” Senate Bill 1 has a few restrictions though. “There are restrictions in place that you can’t go into a 1000-foot buffer around school zones. No firearm zones. You can’t go into any establishment that sells alcohol. If you travel, you still need a permit for reciprocity.”