What are the gun laws for felons in Louisiana?

Answer 1

Louisiana RS.14:95.1

§95.1. Possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies

A. It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) which is a felony or simple burglary, burglary of a pharmacy, burglary of an inhabited dwelling, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, felony illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, manufacture or possession of a delayed action incendiary device, manufacture or possession of a bomb, or possession of a firearm while in the possession of or during the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, or any violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law which is a felony, or any crime which is defined as a sex offense in R.S. 15:541, or any crime defined as an attempt to commit one of the above-enumerated offenses under the laws of this state, or who has been convicted under the laws of any other state or of the United States or of any foreign government or country of a crime which, if committed in this state, would be one of the above-enumerated crimes, to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon.

B. Whoever is found guilty of violating the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than ten nor more than twenty years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 14:27, whoever is found guilty of attempting to violate the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than seven and one-half years and fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars.

C. The provisions of this Section prohibiting the possession of firearms and carrying concealed weapons by persons who have been convicted of certain felonies shall not apply to any person who has not been convicted of any felony for a period of ten years from the date of completion of sentence, probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

D. For the purposes of this Section, "firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, black powder weapon, or assault rifle which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 492, §2. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 279, §1; Acts 1985, No. 947, §1; Acts 1990, No. 328, §1; Acts 1992, No. 403, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 28, §1; Acts 1995, No. 987, §1; Acts 2003, No. 674, §1; Acts 2009, No. 154, §1; Acts 2009, No. 160, §1; Acts 2010, No. 815, §1; Acts 2010, No. 942, §1.

Answer 2

Restoration of rights in Louisiana is a little more complicated than in other states. Generally speaking, upon termination of state and federal supervision following a conviction*, basic rights of citizenship are restored, but privileges of citizenship are not restored. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. s. 14:95.1(C)(1) (2012). This is subject to wide interpretation, however, as the LA statutes and constitution in various places address the different rights of citizenship.

Those convicted of a felony or a crime of violence or a drug offense lose the privilege to carry a firearm until 10 years after completion of their sentences, if no other disqualifiable offense is committed during that 10 year period. A pardon by the governor, but not a first offender pardon, will restore firearms disabilities before the 10 year period is up. State v. Wiggins, 432. So. 2d 234 (La. 1983).

The short answer to the question is: generally, yes, after 10 years from release from supervision.

Answer 3

You need to consult a lawyer familiar with LA firearms law.

Answer 4

no a convicted felon cannot own a gun in Louisiana.. I know this for sure because my brother was only on probation for a misdemeanor and he could not purchase a gun.

Answer 5

Regardless of the state, a convicted felon cannot own a firearm under Federal Law.