In a move to combat the new Louisiana law eliminating the need for concealed carry firearm permits, a police station in New Orleans’ French Quarter will be transformed into a vocational technical school. This decision was announced by Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick at a news conference, effectively creating a 1,000 feet gun-free zone around the station, which encompasses a significant portion of the Quarter, including sections of Bourbon Street.
The new law in Louisiana, supported by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, makes it one of the latest states to do away with concealed carry permits. This change prompted city officials to seek alternative methods to ensure public safety in high-traffic areas like the French Quarter. Designating the 8th District station a school will give police officers more authority to stop and search individuals suspected of carrying a weapon illegally.
Despite opposition from police and city officials to exempt certain areas from the law, lawmakers stood firm, leading to the unique solution of creating a vocational school in the Quarter. The law will go into effect statewide on Thursday, but enforcement in New Orleans will not begin until August 1st when an existing city firearms ordinance expires. The initiative is seen as a creative response to the new legislation and a proactive approach to addressing potential safety concerns in the popular tourist destination.
Source
Photo credit apnews.com