I wrote this e-mail this morning to Luke Labruzza with the JPSO. I have not sent it yet. I wanted to post it here to get some suggestions on what to add or take out.
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Mr. Labruzza,
I am not contacting you regarding a concealed weapons permit, but rather on the topic of open carry of a firearm. I, only being 20, am not yet old enough to obtain my CWP, but would like to be able to carry a firearm for protection of myself and others while in public. I know the open carry debate gets very heated at times and the legality typically lies in the eyes of the police officer. I know the Louisiana State Constitution says in Article I section 11, "The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged, but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person." That makes no mention permitting open carry, but at the same time makes no mention of prohibiting open carry. Many police officers that I have talked to are not aware that Louisiana is a state that allows you to legally carry a firearm in the open at the age of 17. How does the JPSO see this topic as a whole? If I were to open carry in public in a place that allows weapons, could I/would I have criminal or civil charges pressed against me?
Also, I know according to R.S. 14:91 at the age of 20 I can legally purchase a handgun from a private individual. Once again, many police officers whom I have spoken to are not aware of this and tell me it is illegal for me to possess a handgun at the age of 20. I do have a receipt from the trade transaction in which I acquired my handgun and keep it with me at all times just in case I am ever approached by a police officer and asks how I came to possess it.
I have also attached a letter from former Louisiana Attorney General William J. Guste (1971-1972) with regards to the open carry topic.
I am sorry if you were not the right person to contact regarding the topic, but I did not know who else to try when I went through the JPSO directory. If I should direct this e-mail to another person, please let me know who so I can forward it to try and get a response. Any help you can offer on the topic is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Timothy Lowe
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Critique.
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Mr. Labruzza,
I am not contacting you regarding a concealed weapons permit, but rather on the topic of open carry of a firearm. I, only being 20, am not yet old enough to obtain my CWP, but would like to be able to carry a firearm for protection of myself and others while in public. I know the open carry debate gets very heated at times and the legality typically lies in the eyes of the police officer. I know the Louisiana State Constitution says in Article I section 11, "The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged, but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person." That makes no mention permitting open carry, but at the same time makes no mention of prohibiting open carry. Many police officers that I have talked to are not aware that Louisiana is a state that allows you to legally carry a firearm in the open at the age of 17. How does the JPSO see this topic as a whole? If I were to open carry in public in a place that allows weapons, could I/would I have criminal or civil charges pressed against me?
Also, I know according to R.S. 14:91 at the age of 20 I can legally purchase a handgun from a private individual. Once again, many police officers whom I have spoken to are not aware of this and tell me it is illegal for me to possess a handgun at the age of 20. I do have a receipt from the trade transaction in which I acquired my handgun and keep it with me at all times just in case I am ever approached by a police officer and asks how I came to possess it.
I have also attached a letter from former Louisiana Attorney General William J. Guste (1971-1972) with regards to the open carry topic.
I am sorry if you were not the right person to contact regarding the topic, but I did not know who else to try when I went through the JPSO directory. If I should direct this e-mail to another person, please let me know who so I can forward it to try and get a response. Any help you can offer on the topic is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Timothy Lowe
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Critique.