Louisiana Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Reciprocity (2026)
Quick answer: Louisiana (LA) is a constitutional-carry (permitless) state meaning anyone 18+ who can legally possess a handgun may carry concealed without a permit (including non-residents). Louisiana honors permits from 37 states. Going the other way, a Louisiana permit lets you carry in 37 states (9 that honor it plus 29 permitless states).
📌 Reviewed against official sources: August 14, 2026 · By James Nicholas
Where your Louisiana permit works (carry out)
With a Louisiana-issued resident permit you can legally carry in 37 states: 9 honor the permit itself and 28 are permitless-carry states where eligible visitors need no permit at all.
✅ Permitless — no permit needed (28)
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyMaineMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNew HampshireNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontWest VirginiaWyoming
✅ Honor your Louisiana permit (9)
ColoradoMichiganMinnesotaNevadaNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaVirginiaWashingtonWisconsin
Whose permits does Louisiana honor? (carry in)
Louisiana honors resident permits from 37 states:
Per LSP and R.S. 40:1379.3(T)(2), out-of-state permit valid only if holder is 21+ and that state honors Louisiana permits (mutual recognition). LSP lists 37 reciprocal states; permitless carry (18+) independently covers most carriers.
Key Louisiana carry restrictions
- Duty to inform: YES you must notify any officer who approaches in an official manner that you are carrying (R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2)); applies to permit holders and permitless carriers
- No carry with BAC 0.05+ or while using controlled substances
- Prohibited: bars, parades/demonstrations, courthouses, law enforcement buildings, schools/1,000-ft school zones (permit exceptions vary)
- Out-of-state carriers bound by Louisiana law while in-state
Duty to inform police: Yes you must notify officers.
Louisiana permit basics
Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) 5-year and lifetime permits; non-resident CHPs available effective Aug 1, 2025 (2025 Act 273 / HB 407, amending R.S. 40:1379.3 to replace ‘Louisiana resident’ with ‘person’). Minimum age: 21. Even in a permitless state, a permit remains useful for out-of-state reciprocity and other benefits.
Louisiana carry FAQ
Can you conceal carry in Louisiana without a permit?
Yes. Louisiana has had permitless (constitutional) carry since 2024: anyone 18+ who may legally possess a handgun can carry concealed without a permit, including eligible non-residents. Standard restrictions on prohibited places still apply.
What states honor a Louisiana (LA) carry permit?
A Louisiana resident permit is honored in 9 states, and 28 more states have permitless carry where no permit is needed so 37 states total. See the full lists on this page or use our interactive reciprocity map.
Does Louisiana recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits?
Louisiana honors resident permits from 37 states. Check the list on this page — some entries carry permit-type or age conditions.
Can I carry in Texas with a Louisiana permit?
Texas has permitless carry, so you can carry there without any permit if you’re 21+ and legally eligible.
Is there a duty to inform police in Louisiana?
Yes — must notify officers.
Official sources
- legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx
- lsp.org/services/concealed-handgun-information/…
- law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-…
- handgunlaw.us/states/louisiana.pdf
- usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/la-gun-la…
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on August 14, 2026 — including a dedicated primary-source verification pass against state statutes, attorney general and state police pages. Spot an error or a law change? Tell us and we’ll fix it fast.
Related states & resources
Neighboring states: Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas.
Tools: Interactive Reciprocity Map · Concealed Carry Reciprocity Guide · Concealed Carry by State · 2A Legal Glossary · carry gear reviews at Popular EDC.
Not legal advice. Freedom’s Lodge and Brand Avalanche Media are not attorneys; this page is general educational information, verified against the official sources above as of August 14, 2026 and subject to change at any time. Confirm current law with the official state source and/or a licensed attorney before carrying. See our full legal disclaimer and how we verify this data.