According to a report by 4WWL, Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans police is advocating for the establishment of gun-free zones within the city. These zones would prohibit even licensed concealed carriers from carrying firearms for self-defense. This initiative comes as a response to the constitutional carry bill signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry (R) on March 5, 2024.
“New Orleans is unique. And this is not a one-size-fits-all bill. And so, what would apply and maybe be perfectly acceptable in a different part of the state of Louisiana, it’s not going to be effective for the entire city of New Orleans,” Kirkpatrick said. “Too much gun violence as it is in the city. We’ve made great strides. This will reverse the strides.”
She explained further:
“We’ve looked at it internally, it would be Calliope over to the Marigny and then Rampart down to the river, because it would encompass the main thoroughfares that our tourists would be. The Superdome, down to the warehouse, entertainment area, and the Convention Center. So, it’d be broader than just the French Quarter.”
House Bill 498, which is sponsored by state representative Alonzo Knox (D), is the legislation aimed at establishing gun-free zones. According to a report by Breitbart News on July 27, 2023, it was highlighted that 94 percent of mass public shootings take place in these designated gun-free zones. The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) conducted a study in 2014, which was subsequently updated in 2018 and again on July 6, 2019. The study revealed that 94 percent of mass public shootings that occurred between 1950 and the dates of the study were concentrated in gun-free zones.