Senate Bill No. 277, introduced by Senator Edmonds, amends R.S. 14:95(H) to allow certain state officials to carry concealed weapons, provided they are qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The bill expands the list of officials exempt from the illegal carrying of weapons to include designated assistants to the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, and commissioner of insurance.

Additionally, the bill specifies that while members of the legislature and the attorney general, along with their security detail, are allowed to carry weapons in the state capitol building, the newly added officials and their designated assistants may carry weapons only in certain areas of the capitol, excluding the chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as legislative committee rooms. This legislation is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB277 Original: 14:95(H)(1)
SB277 Engrossed: 14:95(H)