Whether you call it a “Concealed Weapons Permit,” a “Concealed Handgun License” (CHL), a “Concealed Handgun Permit” or any of a dozen or so other names, all describe basically the same thing.
In Louisiana, it is a permit issued by the Louisiana State Police Concealed Handgun Permit Unit that allows a private citizen to carry a personal sidearm (a handgun) concealed on his person in areas frequented by the general public (with some minor exceptions.)
Louisiana is a “Shall-Issue” state—which means if you meet the basic training requirements and pass a background check, the state “shall” issue you a permit. Interestingly, Louisiana is also an “Open-Carry” state, meaning it is legal to carry openly in most places.
No longer are there arbitrary rules and stipulations limiting the number of people who can carry concealed, the way it was when the majority of permits were issued by local sheriffs. These permits were almost always good only in the parish in which they had been issued. The state permit today, of course, is good throughout the state
Louisiana has reciprocity with 38 states. This means a person with a Louisiana concealed carry permit can carry concealed in all other states that have reciprocal agreements with the state.
For a list of these states, and an excellent map showing the states that honor Louisiana’s permit, go to www.lsp.org/handguns.html.
Scroll down to see the map. Click on “FORMS” and follow the prompts to download the application packet for a CHL.
This site is a gold mine of information, and contains the entire pamphlet with all the rules and regulations pertaining to carrying concealed in Louisiana. It also holds a list of areas and state-certified concealed permit instructors, and their emails and phone numbers.
Of course, if you are reading this, you have already found the website of the senior instructor in the state. Gordon Hutchinson has taught concealed carry, gun safety, advanced handgunning techniques, and personal self-defense to well over 6000 persons since he started GunSafe Firearms Instruction in 1992 while working as a law enforcement firearms instructor.
Gordon and his associate instructors teach popular, informative, and fun classes that not only bring students from complete novice to safe handgun use, but attain Gordon’s directive on all his classes—that students finishing his courses are “confident” with their handguns—not just “competent.”
GunSafe Firearms Instruction courses are designed to encourage the rank amateur to practice and learn a new sport that is so much more than simply entertainment or a method of self-defense—it is a sport whose disciplines, when mastered, will enhance every facet of your life.
Not only will students suddenly find themselves more confident and less afraid, they will learn to enjoy a sport (shooting) that will bring years of pleasure in its many variant forms.
The following article describes how to attain a concealed handgun permit in Louisiana. But even if you do not wish to carry concealed, we urge you to take a class, and learn to shoot safely and confidently.
You will be amazed at how your life becomes enriched learning the attributes of a sport that offers entertainment, enjoyment, and a measure of personal self-defense that can be attained in no other manner we know.
As Gordon likes to say about teaching ladies:
“You want to talk about Woman Power?
We empower ladies…
We give them Smith & Wesson.”
HOW TO GET A CONCEALED
CARRY PERMIT IN LOUISIANA
CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE/PERMIT TRAINING…
THE PROTOCOL TO OBTAIN A CHL:
1.Go to www.lsp.org/handguns.html. Look at the map, and read over this excellent website by the Louisiana State Police.
2.Click on “FORMS” on the LSP website, then follow the prompts to the Application Packet.
3.Download the packet from the website.
4.Bring the packet with you to a scheduled GunSafe Firearms Instruction Course (see class schedule page.) The packet will be filled out properly in the class.
5.Upon satisfactorily completing the course, you will be issued a certificate of completion by the instructors. This is proof you have completed the course.
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6.Take your now-completed application packet, your certificate, and a money order for $125.00 ($175.00 if you have lived in Louisiana less than 15 years) to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety building off Independence Blvd. in Baton Rouge, and turn it in to the LSP Concealed Handgun Permit Section.
Note:
You may now file ONLINE—AFTER your class—both first-time and renewal students. Filing online is encouraged by the LSP and will speed the return of your permit. This will be covered in detail in the class. DO NOT attempt to file online prior to your class!
7.The LSP will fingerprint you (this will only take a few minutes) and only the first time. You will not need to be re-fingerprinted in five years when you renew. An additional money order for $10.00, made out to “LSP” is necessary for the fingerprinting fee. It MUST be a separate money order or certified check made out to “LSP” in the amount of $10.00. This is in addition to the permit fee, and is paid only at the time of the FIRST application, not renewals.
8. The LSP will conduct a background check. Upon completion of a satisfactory background check, you will generally receive your permit in the mail in 30-45 days. It is good for five years from the date of issuance.
9. The Louisiana State Police no longer send reminders at the end of your permit period. You have until 60 days AFTER your permit expires to renew, and it is counted as a renewal. Go past the 60-day grace period, and you are considered a new applicant, and must go back down to the office and be fingerprinted again.
If you have any further questions, or would like to schedule a class, email Gordon at: ghhutchinson@gmail.com