Louisiana Gun Laws
Constitutional carry. No magazine limit. Castle doctrine and stand your ground.
Last reviewed against official sources on 2026-09-25. Official state source.
Louisiana allows constitutional carry for adults 18+. The state has both castle doctrine and stand your ground protections. No magazine limits, assault weapon bans, or waiting periods exist.
Key facts
- Concealed Carry: Constitutional carry — no permit required for adults 18+ (La. R.S. § 14:95)
- Open Carry: Permitted without a permit for adults 18+ (La. R.S. § 14:95)
- Permit to Purchase: Not required
- Assault Weapon Ban: No ban
- Magazine Limit: No limit
- Waiting Period: None
- Universal Background Check: Not required for private sales
- Red Flag Law (ERPO): No state ERPO law
- Castle Doctrine: Yes (La. R.S. § 14:20)
- Stand Your Ground: Yes (La. R.S. § 14:20)
- Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Honors permits from reciprocal states only; visitors 18+ can carry concealed here without one anyway (Louisiana State Police reciprocity list)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to carry in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana is a constitutional carry state. Adults 18 and older may carry concealed or openly without a permit.
Does Louisiana require background checks for private sales?
No. Private firearm sales in Louisiana do not require a background check.
Does Louisiana have a waiting period?
No. Louisiana does not impose a waiting period for firearm purchases.
Does Louisiana have a red flag law?
No. Louisiana has not enacted an extreme risk protection order law.
Does Louisiana honor concealed carry permits from other states?
Partially. Louisiana honors permits only from states with reciprocity (not CA, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NM, NY, OR, or RI). Because Louisiana is a constitutional carry state, an adult 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm doesn't need a permit — from Louisiana or elsewhere — to carry concealed here.
Not legal advice. Laws change; verify with official sources.