The Louisiana State Senate voted to uphold Gov. John Bel Edwards’ (D) veto of a bill that would have made constitutional carry law in the state.
To override the governor’s veto, a two-thirds majority vote was needed, meaning 26 of Louisiana’s 39 state senators needed to vote in favor of overturning the veto. The vote was 23-15, with one senator absent.
As it turns out, several Louisiana senators reversed course from their initial votes of support for the bill, two of whom claimed “they did not do their ‘research’ when they voted the first time in support of your right to carry,” reported the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (ILA). “Apparently, this’ research’ entailed meeting with rogue, anti-gun sheriffs in their districts and succumbing to their pressure.”
Earlier this year, Louisiana legislators voted in favor of S.B. 118, which would have made constitutional carry the law of the land for Louisianans. The bill “enables our constitutional right as law-abiding individuals to carry a handgun for self-defense,” according to the NRA-ILA.
Gov. Edwards chose to veto the bill, claiming that he believes the “majority of Louisianans agree with [him].”
Though this is a setback for the rights of Second Amendment supporters in Louisiana, constitutional carry is spreading through the nation.
Had Louisiana legislators overridden Edwards’ veto and made constitutional carry law, Louisiana would have become the 22nd state to recognize constitutional carry. It would have also become the sixth state this very year to recognize such a right—Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, and most-recently, Texas passed constitutional carry this year.
It is certain that similar legislation will come forward again in future Louisiana legislative sessions. The NRA will continue to advocate for your Second Amendment rights in Louisiana and throughout the rest of the country.
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