I know this has been discussed before. I have not seen anything in writing from anyone in a position of authority. Below is an email thread between the Concealed Handgun Unit of the Louisiana State Police and me.
The answer from the LSP is "The permit does not prohibit a person from carrying while being a spectator."
It does not appear that the City of New Orleans/New Orleans Police Department agree with this statement. I am still waiting for a 2nd reply from the New Orleans City Attorney to the same question I posed to the LSP. The first reply did not specifically answer the question.
His response was "Thank you. I do not see where the statute distinguishes between attending and participating?" That statement would be in conflict with the LSP statement. According to news reports from the New Orleans area, people with concealed handguns at parades in New Orleans will be arrested, whether or not they have a permit. Not sure how to get this resolved. I'll post any further answers I receive.
From: Wyndie.Chifici@dps.la.gov [mailto:Wyndie.Chifici@dps.la.gov] On Behalf Of concealed.handguns@dps.state.la.us
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 9:28 AM
To: XXXXXX
Subject: Re: Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it relates to Parades
The permit does not prohibit a person from carrying while being a spectator.
01/28/2013 03:50 PM
To <concealed.handguns@dps.state.la.us>
cc
Subject Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it relates to Parades
I have a question concerning the Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it
relates to a parade that requires a permit, such as a Mardi Gras parade. I
understand that the concealed handgun permit does not authorize anyone to
carry a concealed handgun while participating "in" a parade. The question
that I would like clarified is whether or not the concealed handgun permit
authorizes a permittee to carry a concealed handgun while attending a parade
as a spectator?
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions necessary to
clarify the question that I am asking.
Thank you in advance for your response.
The answer from the LSP is "The permit does not prohibit a person from carrying while being a spectator."
It does not appear that the City of New Orleans/New Orleans Police Department agree with this statement. I am still waiting for a 2nd reply from the New Orleans City Attorney to the same question I posed to the LSP. The first reply did not specifically answer the question.
His response was "Thank you. I do not see where the statute distinguishes between attending and participating?" That statement would be in conflict with the LSP statement. According to news reports from the New Orleans area, people with concealed handguns at parades in New Orleans will be arrested, whether or not they have a permit. Not sure how to get this resolved. I'll post any further answers I receive.
From: Wyndie.Chifici@dps.la.gov [mailto:Wyndie.Chifici@dps.la.gov] On Behalf Of concealed.handguns@dps.state.la.us
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 9:28 AM
To: XXXXXX
Subject: Re: Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it relates to Parades
The permit does not prohibit a person from carrying while being a spectator.
01/28/2013 03:50 PM
To <concealed.handguns@dps.state.la.us>
cc
Subject Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it relates to Parades
I have a question concerning the Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit as it
relates to a parade that requires a permit, such as a Mardi Gras parade. I
understand that the concealed handgun permit does not authorize anyone to
carry a concealed handgun while participating "in" a parade. The question
that I would like clarified is whether or not the concealed handgun permit
authorizes a permittee to carry a concealed handgun while attending a parade
as a spectator?
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions necessary to
clarify the question that I am asking.
Thank you in advance for your response.