A bill has been proposed to Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards that would allow veterans to obtain free concealed carry permits.
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The measure is extremely popular amongst state House and Senate lawmakers. They approved well in favor of the measure with a vote of 96-0 and 37-1 respectively. The only person that voted against it is the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Senator Karen Carter Peterson.
Republican Tanner Magee proposed the bill back in March and it swiftly passed through legislature. Currently, active duty, reserve and veteran members of the United States Military get a 50% discount for permits. A five year license in the state goes for $125 while a lifelong permit costs $500.
According to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, there are currently 330,000 veterans living in the state of Louisiana. Last year alone, of the 17,853 permits that were issued last year by the state’s Public Safety Services, 4,623 of them were issued to military veterans on the discount.
However, if the bill becomes law, the state could lose roughly $1.5 million per year. Last year, the Concealed Handgun Permit Fund brought in close to $4 million.
In years past, revenues have far exceeded expenditures for the Concealed Handgun Permit Fund.
The Governor is a former veteran of the United States Army where he served as an infantry officer and graduated from West Point. When running for governor, he took the stance of pro-gun.
