New Orleans Police Station to Become Vocational School, Banning Guns in French Quarter
In a groundbreaking move, the New Orleans police station located in the French Quarter will be transformed into a vocational technical school, effectively outlawing gun possession in the surrounding area. The announcement was made by Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick at a news conference at the 8th District police station on Royal Street.
The new Louisiana law eliminates the need for concealed carry firearm permits, leading to the designation of the police station as a school. This designation will create a 1,000-foot radius around the station where carrying concealed weapons will be forbidden. This will cover a large section of the French Quarter, including popular spots like Bourbon Street.
The decision to designate the police station as a school aims to give officers more authority to stop and search individuals suspected of illegally carrying weapons in the Quarter. Other facets of state law, such as bans on carrying guns in bars or by individuals with a blood-alcohol level of .05%, will also contribute to this effort.
The new law, which removes the need for concealed carry permits, was supported and signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry. While some lawmakers rejected pleas to exempt New Orleans from the law, city officials worked to find innovative solutions to address potential safety concerns. City Council President Helena Moreno explained that the decision to designate the police station as a school was driven by the need to control the possible proliferation of guns in high-traffic areas.
Although the law will take effect statewide on Thursday, it will not be enforced in New Orleans until August 1, coinciding with the expiration of an existing city firearms ordinance.
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