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Open carry in New Orleans

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Aug 7, 2008
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I will be traveling from Arkansas to New Orleans with my husband, who has an AR Concealed Handgun permit. During the day he will be in a conference, which leaves me, a very small-town girl, checking out New Orleans unprotected. What do you suppose would happen if a 120 pound farm girl practised open carry with her .38wheel gunthere? Thank you.
 
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OK-What about a small 22 in my purse? That has me stepping over the line of the law. You are talking to a woman who has been cooperhead snake hunting in her own yard this week. In August in Arkansas one doesn't go out unprotected. Why should I feel any more safe in a place like New Orleans? Just a different kind of snake, one I am less equipped to handle.
 
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baton rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Instead of our qualified opinions, why not call the thugs at the NOPD and ask THEM?
I'd love to hear their answer to this simple question:
"Hi, I'm from Arkansas, coming to visit your fine city (don't laugh) and wanted to know if ya'll honor your state constitution's right to bear arms?"
 
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Thanks to all you gentlemen for your "unqualified" opinions. Seriously, if your wife or girlfriend was visiting the highest crime rate city in theUSAwhat would be your advice (unsolicited?) to her? I love the outdoors and the thought of spending a week in a hotel room in the FifthQuarterdoes NOT appeal to me. A friend has told us not to go out at night unarmed and NOT to leaveBourbon St after dark. I can't come up with the $300 Concealed permit application fee. At this point I would rather spend the $300 on a nice Walter 22 and take my chances with being caught with a weapon versus going out unprotected. Does anyone know the local ordinance on handguns? If any of you are brave enough to get me the NOPD phone number, I am brassy enough to call and ask very PERTINENT questions. Of course I will have my Ephesians 6:11 sword with me, and prefer to use that weapon. Fortunately, that weapon is not illegal yet. If we can't carry handguns, we can't protect our right to put on the full armour of God, either.
 
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In response to Yales supposition that my wheel gun would be confiscated- seriously. My wheel gun was my grandfathers service revolver from his work at a state capitol as guard. I am serious too. Don't take my right to bear arms lightly. Since open carry is illegal in Arkansas, I carry my hunting knife on my belt in full view. Even that starts some interesting discussions at church or the feed store. When I can afford a more discrete handgun, I am very likely the next person you will hear about in some court case, if we don't get open carry legalized here before then. Please spread the word about our petition drive to ask for open carry in AR. Only have 133 signatures so far.
 

Louisiana Carry

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Feb 28, 2008
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Keithville, Louisiana, USA
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FYI, you can get a non-resident permit from Florida to CCW that i honored in LA and AR. In response to your question about what I would have my wife do- that would be it. Conceal in the French quarter= he has her permit and carries her "wheel gun"- .45 LC Beretta.
 

XD-GEM

Campaign Veteran
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Jun 5, 2008
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New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Louisiana Carry is probably the most knowledgable person about our gun laws. His website has links to all applicable laws. http://www.louisianacarry.org/

One thing most folks don't know about the French Quarter is that there are 2 schools in it. One is on St. Phillip at Royal and the other is on Dauphine at Dumaine. Louisiana has one of those 1000 foot Gun Free School Zone laws that are blatanly wrong, but nonetheless give the NOPD a reason to stop you.

Concealed is the way to go in the Quarter, but beware that you are not allowed to bring a gun OC or CC into any place that sells alcohol - by law entering such a place also gives up your right to refuse a search of your person by law enforcement. The knife would be legal to carry openly everywhere you go.

Don't go by yourself after 2am. If your hotel is in the Quarter, then you'll likely be OK as long as you keep your wanderings bounded by the Mississippi River, Canal Street, Burgundy (some say Rampart, but there's a Housing Project there), and Esplanade. Exception: St. Louis Cemetery on Basin Street is way cool, if you've never been in an above-ground style cemetery. Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is buried there, as is Homer Plessy (of Plessy vs Fergusen - the "separate but equal" case) and some relatives of mine from 200 years ago. There's a walking tour that starts in the Quarter, so you can go see it with a large group.

The Quarter is both much safer than most want to believe, and more dangerous than others will admit. Just keep your wits about you and you'll be fine. And I hope you have a great time in my city. It can be a real blast, if you allow yourself to relax and enjoy it.


ETA: Check with your husband to see if there are any organised activities for spouses. Many conventions here do that sort of thing all the time. That way, you'd be with a group while he's at the conference.
 
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Thanks XD for the good information. I had not thought about school zones. I will check the web site. I really don't want the "history" of the area to interfere with my enjoyment in visiting such an historic area. BUT I believe in thinking ahead about the environment I am transplanting myself into and being prepared. I really appreciate any input you locals can give me. Bulls, horses and goats I know, but in your town the word "quarter" (as in horse)has a whole different meaning than here in LA (that's Lincoln, Arkansas LOL). Many thanks to any who can give me a crash course in LA highlights and low life!
 

XD-GEM

Campaign Veteran
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Jun 5, 2008
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New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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You're welcome. If you want, PM me with the general sort of things you and your spouse might like and I'll see if I can give you a list of suggestions. Or you can go to the Visitors' Bureau website and see what sort of things they may recommend for sightseeing.

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/
 

italianboy

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
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Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
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Just another food for thought, dont' forget that you can not carry a firearm onto a sovern nation establishment either. IE most casinos in La. Not sure about casinos in New Orleans, but something to think about.

If I were a 120 pound female (which I am not), but ifI WERE, I'd carry a weapon in New Orleans no doubt, but in my purse. Most police officers if they do find one (first off they would have to have a reason to search you). But considering that you I mean I was a female in a very bad city alone and by myself, YOU DARN TOOTIN I'D BE CARRYING A CONCEILED WEAPON.

Please do not mistake my postby suggesting that myself or anyone for that matter should break the law, but if I were a 120 pound female without a gun permit that's what I would do for my own safety. But then again that would be if I were a femalewhich I am not. I would never do something like this being that I am a 195 pound male! LOL! Just for the record and for legal sake!
 
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Now the rest of the story... Our trip to NO came off without any problems, got out before Fay hit land. Then for our family vacation we went to Sea World San Antonio. In the parking lot within sight of the attendants booth, someone triggered our doorlocks, stole ALL our luggage, including my husband's gun! We came home early because all we had to wear were our swim suits! Guess the theft was a mixed blessing because we left town before Gustav hit! Anyway, I am trying to find the money to replace all our clothes, laptop and gun, so I won't be talking again soon. Don't take your luggage with you to Sea World!
 
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