Louisiana has recently passed a bill that allows gun owners to carry their weapons without obtaining a permit. The anti-gunners are already working hard to restrict gun ownership. Recently, the state Senate Judiciary Committee witnessed a heated discussion over SB 203. This proposal would create an office for violence prevention. The move has sparked concerns over possible Second Amendment violations.
This agency, similar to the White House’s new Violence Prevention Office, would be tasked with curbing violent crimes in the state. Some are concerned, however, that this proposal is just a way to subtly infringe upon the right to bear arms. Republicans in the state’s legislature have temporarily halted the measure.
The bill was proposed by Democrat State Senator Royce Duplessis. It would create a new office within the Louisiana Department of Health. The stated goal of the agency would be to gather various stakeholders to use data for making communities safer. The office will be required to present an action plan to state legislators by February 1, 2026.
Duplessis said, “We could save money by spending less on the backend and investing more up front.”
The bill would examine gun violence from multiple angles, such as racism, poverty, and lack of affordable housing. It also includes untreated trauma. It is the goal to tackle root causes by using community-specific strategies. The office will be run by a person appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Republican lawmakers and gun-rights supporters are criticizing the proposal. Kelby Seanor is a lobbyist with the National Rifle Association. He expressed concern that the bill could “weaponize” the government to oppose Second Amendment rights.
Sen. Duplessis proposed an amendment to the legislation, which would remove the word “gun” in the phrase “gun violence prevention”, to allay these concerns. He said:
“We have a Governor who, if the office was created, would be under his Administration. Last time I checked, the governor was very pro-Second Amendment. Last time I checked this legislature was very pro Second Amendment.”
The amendment hasn’t eased concerns about Second Amendment rights being violated. Miguez, a state senator, urged his co-workers to “stop the conversation about attacking the Second Amendment.”
It seems unlikely at this point that Duplessis or his allies would come up with an idea that doesn’t raise concerns about gun rights.
Even if Republicans can stop Democrats from creating the anti-gun office in Louisiana, the issue of violence will remain.
According to the Legislative Fiscal Office, SB 203 will cost the state $750,000-$800,000. This estimate may change after the bill is amended because the original bill put the office under the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
A study by Tulane University in 2023 found that more than half of Louisiana residents will experience violence during their lifetime. Louisiana also has the highest rate of violent crime in the country.
Duplessis’ bill seems to be dead on arrival. Louisanans are grappling with a wave of violent crimes. To combat this, elected officials must come up with solutions that do not make it more difficult for residents to legally own firearms.
