New Orleans to Convert Police Station into Vocational School, Outlawing Guns in Area
The police station in New Orleans’ French Quarter is set to be converted into a vocational technical school, effectively outlawing gun possession in the surrounding area. This move comes as a new Louisiana law eliminating concealed carry firearm permits goes into effect. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick announced the measure at a news conference, citing the state law that forbids carrying concealed weapons within 1,000 feet of such a facility.
The conversion of the 8th District police station into a school is seen as a way to give officers more leeway to stop and search individuals suspected of illegally carrying weapons in the Quarter. Different facets of state law, including bans on carrying guns in bars or by individuals with a blood alcohol level of .05%, will also allow for the arrest of those carrying weapons in the tourist district.
State lawmakers passed the legislation to eliminate the need for concealed carry permits earlier this year. The new law was signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, despite past efforts being vetoed by former Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. The decision not to exempt New Orleans from the law has prompted city officials to come up with creative solutions to address potential safety concerns related to an increase in guns in high-traffic areas.
However, the plan to convert the police station into a school has faced criticism from Attorney General Liz Murrill, who stated that the city cannot avoid state law by unilaterally designating police stations as vocational technical locations. Despite the criticism, the law is set to take effect on Thursday, with enforcement in New Orleans delayed until August 1 when an existing city firearms ordinance expires.
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