The 8th District police station in New Orleans’ French Quarter is set to be designated a vocational technical school, according to Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. This move will enforce a ban on gun possession in the surrounding area, including a portion of Bourbon Street, as a new Louisiana law eliminating the need for concealed carry firearm permits comes into effect. Kirkpatrick announced the measure at a news conference on Monday, explaining that state law prohibits carrying concealed weapons within 1,000 feet of such a facility.
The decision to designate the police station as a school is aimed at giving officers more authority to stop and search individuals suspected of unlawfully carrying weapons in the Quarter. Other facets of state law, such as bans on carrying guns in bars or by individuals with a blood-alcohol level of .05%, could also be used to arrest those carrying weapons in the tourist district.
The new Louisiana law, which removes the requirement for a concealed handgun permit, was supported and signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry. Despite pleas from police and city officials to exempt New Orleans or specific areas known for partying, lawmakers decided not to make exceptions. City Council President Helena Moreno stated that the decision to designate the police station as a school was reached after realizing the need to address the potential increase of guns in high-traffic areas. The law will go into effect statewide on Thursday, but enforcement in New Orleans will begin on August 1 after an existing city firearms ordinance expires.
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