Louisiana HCR 39 Passes

Louisiana HCR 39 by Representative Steve Scalise (R-Metairie) is a resolution urging Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) to include legislation amending the state’s emergency powers law in the items to be considered during a broader Extraordinary Session expected in January.

As you’ll recall, law enforcement officials working for, or under the direction of, the City of New Orleans and St. Tammany Parish abused their authority under this law and confiscated legally-owned firearms from law-abiding citizens trying to protect themselves, their homes, and their families after Katrina hit. The NRA sought, and was granted, a temporary restraining order in federal court stopping this practice and requiring officials to return the guns to their rightful owners.

HCR 39 recognizes that firearms confiscations did indeed occur in Katrina's wake, and explicitly forbids unreasonable searches and seizures of any item, including firearms, as well as reaffirming the rights of Louisiana citizens to keep and bear arms as stated by the Constitution of the United States.