May 27, 2020
By Mark Chestnut
As politicians throughout the country continue to use the COVID-19 epidemic to infringe on the Second Amendment of their law-abiding citizens,
Louisiana lawmakers are pushing three measures to strengthen the right to keep and bear arms in the Bayou State.
The pro-gun measures, all three of which were recently approved in committee, would be a boon to freedom if passed and signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
House Bill 334 would authorize permit holders to carry a concealed handgun in churches, synagogues or other places of worship. HB 140, if passed, would prevent local authorities and municipalities from imposing prohibitions on firearms that are more stringent than those enumerated in state law. Lastly, HB 746 would allow those who lawfully possess a firearm to carry concealed for self-defense during a mandatory evacuation under a declared state of emergency or disaster.
In response to the proposals, the newspaper The Advocate published an editorial putting all of the publisher’s disdain for the Second Amendment on display for all to see.
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“In the name of gun rights, a ridiculous measure was launched in the Legislature, overriding the pastor and congregation of any church and forcing it to allow firearms in places of worship,” the editorial said. “Another bill would, without regard to local views or conditions, overrule decisions by cities or parishes on sensible gun control regulations. Yet another bill would not allow authorities to regulate firearms during a state of emergency.
“Extremism is on the march, in a Legislature that has vastly more important things to do.”
It seems that too many in the media see measures that would strengthen the rights of gun owners as “extremism.” With all three measures soon to be considered by the full House of Representatives, Louisiana gun owners should let their representatives know that they are on the side of freedom and support these important measures.
Freelance writer and editor Mark Chesnut is the owner/editorial director at Red Setter Communications LLC. An avid hunter, shooter and political observer, he has been covering Second Amendment issues and politics on a near-daily basis for the past 20 years.
