New Orleans police station to become vocational school, banning guns in French Quarter
The New Orleans Police Department announced that a police station in the French Quarter will be designated as a vocational technical school, instantly outlawing gun possession in the surrounding area due to a new Louisiana law eliminating concealed carry firearm permits.
The move, announced by Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, will prevent the carrying of concealed weapons within 1,000 feet of the station, covering a large section of the Quarter including Bourbon Street. The station, considered a satellite of the city’s police academy, is meant to give officers more leeway to stop and search individuals suspected of illegally carrying weapons in the tourist district.
This decision comes as Louisiana recently passed legislation removing the permit requirement for carrying concealed handguns, leading to concerns about an increase in guns in high-traffic areas. The new law, supported by Governor Jeff Landry, was met with criticism from State Attorney General Liz Murrill, who questioned the city’s ability to designate police stations as vocational-technical locations.
Despite the challenges, city officials are moving forward with the plan, aiming to address public safety concerns in the French Quarter. The law is set to take effect on Thursday, with enforcement in New Orleans scheduled for August 1 after an existing city firearms ordinance expires. The announcement has sparked debates about jurisdiction and compliance with state laws, highlighting the complexities of gun regulations in urban areas like New Orleans.
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