Bayou Outdoors | Concealed Carry or Not?

article by Dan Chason

There is a lot of misinformation, particularly on the internet concerning Concealed Carry in Louisiana.  With that there is even more misnomers concerning what, when, where and how you can be a legally armed citizen and exercise your rights to possess a firearm.  As a concealed carry instructor through the Louisiana State Police, I can tell you that not a single class I have held is done without many of the same questions but more importantly many of the same mistakes.

Fallacy number 1:  Bigger is better.  I cannot tell you how many students show up with too much pistol that they cannot hit in the same area code two shots in a row.  Accuracy far outweighs bullet weight as if you cannot hit your target, you are living in a fantasy world.  I recommend a compact pistol that fits the shooter.  Secondly, exam who the shooter will be.  A revolver is the safest pistol, but most don’t understand the simple characteristics of accuracy.  A revolver has 8 pounds plus of trigger pull.  An automatic requires less than 4 pounds of trigger press.  Many shooters think the more rounds put down range equals more personal protection.  That is very untrue.  Female shooters struggle with accuracy with revolvers due to the amount of hand strength to consistently maneuver 8 pounds of trigger pull but there is a solution.  Hand position and a double finger pull creates an accurate and consistent function of the weapon.

Fallacy number 2:  You can get a concealed carry permit via the internet.  You cannot, the permit process involves attendance in a 9-hour course with live fire required as well, via a certified instructor. After receiving a certificate, you must apply through www.lsp.org via the concealed handgun division, pass a background check, pay your fees and wait on processing.

Fallacy number 3:  Men are better marksmen than women.  Very untrue.  In all of the classes I have held, women far outshoot men.  One reason is that I don’t have to untrain bad habits and most women have not shot a pistol as much as a man.  Teaching someone who knows little or nothing about pistol shooting, teaches the right way from the start and bad habits don’t have to be “untaught”.

Fallacy number 4:  I will never get over recoil so I can’t overcome my fear of it.  That is also very untrue.  Training your brain to not react to negative recoil is not hard.  It is not natural to put something that “blows up” in your hand and not react.  Shooting is a natural function where the brain can be trained to be totally surprised when the round goes off.  It takes a little time and practice but it is easily overcome.

Fallacy number 5:  I don’t need a concealed carry permit.  That is partially true.  Louisiana is an open carry state and there is no permit required to carry a firearm in your vehicle.  The vehicle is an extension of your home.  However, think about this:  If you meet the unthinkable and have to use your firearm to protect yourself or your family, what is the first question that will be asked by the offender’s attorney in court?  “What formal training have you had to carry a firearm?” None is not a good answer.  Louisiana protects persons who utilized a firearm in defense of themselves or others by disallowing a lawsuit to be enforced on a person who follows Louisiana legal guidelines on deadly force.

Fallacy number 6:  If someone is breaking in my house and I feel “fear of great bodily harm” and I have to shoot them, I need to drag them inside.  Totally 100% false.  If you are in fear of great bodily harm, the law allows you to protect yourself.  Dragging them inside is considered obstructing justice and will not do anything but hurt your case.  The law provides that if a person “is in the process” of illegally entering or breaking into your home you may defend yourself as you are in fear of “great bodily harm.”  This can be your home, RV, office or anywhere you have a legal right to be.

Fallacy number 7:  If someone is breaking into my vehicle in my yard, I have the right to shoot them.  Totally false.  Louisiana law does not provide for deadly force regarding property crimes.  Call the police and remain inside.  Do not intervene.  Your life is not worth any amount of money or property.  

Fallacy number 8:  I have a permit so I can carry my weapon anywhere.  False, again.  There are a number of places that you cannot carry a weapon.  Examples that are not real obvious include places of business that sell alcohol to be consumed on the property (many restaurants) or places of business where signage states “no weapons allowed.”

Fallacy number 9:  If I am in fear, I can draw my weapon to deter someone who has frightened me.  This is false.  The only reason you should ever draw your weapon is if you are in fear of “great bodily harm.”  If you do draw your weapon and certain criteria is not present, you can be charged with aggravated assault.  Assault is any threatening action but is not physical.  A battery is defined as “unwanted touching.” An aggravated battery is when a weapon is used to harm another person.

These are a few of the fallacies that provide many of the questions raised concerning the legal carry of a concealed weapon.  I never recommend that anyone permitted carry openly and I never recommend the use of a firearm for any purpose but for what it is intended.

At the website www.lsp.org there is a list of certified instructors.  Take the time to take a course and I assure you it will be time well spent.  We all have to right to live in peace and safety.  Look for an instructor who teaches you how to avoid using a firearm by including situational awareness training so you can understand the criminal element and how to avoid being a situation where you are at a disadvantage.