Courthouses & Courtrooms
Carrying a firearm into a courthouse, courtroom, or court administrative building is strictly prohibited by state law.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
State courthouses and courtrooms are strictly gun-free zones. The only statutory exception applies to active peace officers and sitting judges within their own courtroom.
Law Enforcement Stations & Detention Facilities
Police stations, sheriff's offices, state police barracks, parish jails, state prisons, and juvenile detention facilities.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
You cannot bring a firearm into any law enforcement building, station, or correctional facility. Secure your firearm in your vehicle before entering.
K-12 School Grounds, Campuses & School Buses
Firearms are prohibited on elementary, middle, and high school property, school buses, and within 1,000 feet of school grounds (subject to vehicle exceptions).
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
Public and private K-12 school campuses and school buses are strictly prohibited. However, parents picking up or dropping off students may keep a firearm legally stored inside their private vehicle while on school premises.
Bars & Alcoholic Beverage Outlets
Prohibited in any portion of a commercial establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
Stand-alone bars, night clubs, and the dedicated bar area of a business are strictly off-limits for carrying firearms. (For sit-down family restaurants that serve alcohol, see the Class A Restaurant rules below).
Polling Places on Election Day
Possessing a firearm inside a designated polling place during voting hours is a state election crime.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
When entering a building to cast your ballot on election day, you must leave your firearm secured in your vehicle.
Government Meetings & The State Capitol Building
Prohibited in the State Capitol building in Baton Rouge and official meeting places of local governing bodies (city councils, police juries, school boards).
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
You cannot carry a firearm into city council meetings, parish police jury sessions, school board meetings, or inside the Louisiana State Capitol building.
TSA-Secured Airport Areas & Post Offices
Prohibited in passenger terminals beyond security checkpoints and inside U.S. Postal Service buildings or property.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
You cannot carry past TSA security at airports (unloaded firearms may only be transported as properly declared, cased checked baggage). Federal post office buildings and federal postal property are also strictly prohibited under federal law.
Parades & Permitted Demonstrations (Active Participants)
Active participants in permitted parades or public demonstrations are barred from carrying dangerous weapons.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
If you are actively participating in a parade, march, or float ride, you cannot carry a firearm. Spectators or bystanders watching on public sidewalks are not restricted by this specific parade participant statute.
Churches, Synagogues & Places of Worship
Prohibited by default unless authorized by the governing board or authority of the place of worship.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
Carrying in a church or house of worship requires explicit permission or authorization from the church administration or security leadership. Many churches authorize safety teams under state guidelines.
Class A Sit-Down Restaurants
Permitted in dining areas of Class A restaurants (e.g., Mexican restaurants, steakhouses), but prohibited in the dedicated bar counter/lounge area.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
You may carry in the main dining room of a restaurant that serves food and alcohol. However, you cannot sit at or carry into the dedicated bar counter section of that restaurant, and you must not consume alcohol while carrying.
Private Businesses & Posted 'No Guns' Property
Property owners and lessees retain full authority to restrict firearms via posted signage or policy.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
Private businesses (like stores or theaters) have the right to prohibit firearms. Carrying past a clearly posted 'No Guns' sign can subject you to criminal trespass charges under LA R.S. 14:63 if you refuse to leave when asked.
Private Residences of Others
Requires prior consent before carrying a concealed firearm into another person's home.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
You cannot carry a concealed handgun into someone else's personal residence without first receiving permission from the owner or resident.
Personal Motor Vehicles (Car as Extension of Home)
Under Louisiana law, your private vehicle is legally treated as an extension of your home for firearm possession.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
Any law-abiding person who can legally own a firearm may keep a handgun, rifle, or shotgun inside their personal automobile or truck anywhere in Louisiana without a permit.
State Parks, Historic Sites & Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
Louisiana explicitly protects the right of lawful firearm owners to carry in state parks, preservation areas, and WMAs.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
You are fully permitted to carry a firearm for personal protection in Louisiana state parks, historic sites, state forests, and WMAs, subject to specific hunting season regulation rules on WMAs.
Public Sidewalks, Streets & Public Spaces
Permitted in general public areas, parks, and sidewalks under state preemption and Constitutional Carry laws.
💡 Practical Guidance ("Layman's Terms")
Under Louisiana's statewide preemption laws, cities and parishes cannot restrict your right to carry on general public sidewalks, streets, or public areas that are not designated as statutory gun-free zones.