Bill expands ability of some felons to obtain concealed-carry permits

The House Committee on Criminal Justice approved two bills April 7 that would add, with certain exceptions, playgrounds, parks and recreational facilities to gun-free zones and expand the ability of certain felons to obtain concealed-carry permits.
House Bill 142 by Rep. Blake Miguez, R-Erath, would allow those convicts who have had their record expunged and who were only convicted of non-violent, non-sexual crimes to be eligible to apply for a concealed carry permit. The committee unanimously approved and sent it o the full House Activist after hearing from one-time felon Cory Lance.
Lance, who is from Bossier Parish and who has worked three years on the legislation, explained how the state issued him a concealed carry permit but then revoked it because the FBI changed which state statute it uses to decide on which applicants with a criminal record can obtain a permit.
Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, was to present a bill similar to Miguez’ but decided to support his bill instead so as not to divide their efforts. After the committee hearing, Horton said it was “a miracle” no Democrat on the committee opposed the bill, which she says indicates the measure has a good chance of becoming law.
House Bill 693, authored by Rep. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans, would add public playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities,including wildlife preserves, to the list of gun-free zones. Opponents raised concerns the bill would prohibit hunters and recreational shooters in state parks and preserves.
In response, they amended the bill, creating exceptions for hunters.
In another amendment, proposed by as a compromise by Rep. Terry Landry, D-New Iberia, the committee added a separate exception to allow those who have concealed-gun permits to carry onto playgrounds, parks and recreational areas.
Republican legislators fought to kill the bill because they felt it would do more harm to victims of gun violence than good.
“When we limit people who have concealed carry permits .. those people are most likely not going to commit the crime,” Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, said. “What we do … is disarm people who may need to protect themselves.”
The bill passed 8-6 and was sent to the House, with Republicans opposing.
Statistics show those who hold concealed carry permits commit crimes at a lower rate than the population as a whole, according to data on concealed carry permits from Texas. According to a 2014 report from the Crime Prevention Research Center, 3.89 percent of Louisiana citizens have a concealed carry permit.
Harris said his bill would give law enforcement and district attorneys another tool to punish those who want to harm children and the elderly who frequent parks and playgrounds. He brought up the shooting at Bunny Friend Park in New Orleans, where 17 people were shot.
Democrats on the committee expressed their support of the expanded gun-free zones, saying the bill was long overdue.
“If there are no guns on the premises, no one will be shot on the premises,” Rep. Randal Gaines, D-LaPlace, said.