Louisiana House Criminal Justice Committee backs bill that would allow concealed handgun permit holders, off-duty police officers to come armed to restaurants serving alcohol
Nevin Barich
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana
,
April 2, 2014
(Associated Press)
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A bill allowing concealed handgun permit holders and off-duty police officers to come armed to restaurants serving alcohol has the backing of the House Criminal Justice Committee.
The committee voted 9-3 to advance the bill Wednesday.
Metairie Rep. Joe Lopinto says he sponsored the measure to clear up confusion about who can carry a gun into a restaurant serving alcohol.
The law regulating gun possession in places serving alcohol exempts the establishment's owner and employees and on-duty police officers. However, a separate law regulating concealed handgun permits says permit holders can carry in restaurants serving alcohol.
Lopinto's proposal seeks to extend the exemption to include off-duty officers and concealed handgun permit holders.
New Iberia Rep. Terry Landry, a former police officer, opposed the bill, saying guns and alcohol don't mix.
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