Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards in late May signed into law Senate Bill 402, which aims to increase safety by expanding access to armed security in churches, synagogues and mosques.
Introduced by Republican state Sen. Neil Riser, the bill amends a 2010 law that legalized concealed carry in houses of worship, as long as those exercising that right took an additional eight hours of tactical training per year. Under the new law, such training is required only if it is mandated by the building owner’s insurance policy or church authorities.
The amendment also expands the definition of armed security personnel to include those designated as security guards in addition to those who are hired, specifying that such individuals “may be compensated, non-compensated or volunteers.”
The law went into effect Aug. 1.
