The Firearms Policy Coalition announced this week that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has penned his signature to the state’s FPC-backed House Bill 407, repealing residency restrictions on concealed carry permits and expanding access to carry rights in the Bayou State. The newly signed HB 407 is set to go into effect Aug. 1, 2025, as Act 273.

It’s a move that marks another victory at the state level for Americans’ right to bear arms. It comes on the heels of the FPC’s right-to-carry lawsuit, Mate v. Westcott, which targeted unconstitutional residency requirements in Louisiana. That specific lawsuit came as part of a broader FPC campaign to do the same across the United States.

At the state level, FPC singled out Louisiana State Rep. Lauren Ventrella and Gov. Landry in particular for their efforts to make H.B. 407 a reality.

“On behalf of our members, we thank Rep. Ventrella for her leadership on this important issue and Gov. Landry for signing this bill into law,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “We are thrilled that Louisiana has made this critical change to improve access to the right to bear arms. We and our members are working to unlock the right to carry throughout the United States, and this bill helps do just that.”

“Now, it’s time for Congress to fix and pass H.R. 38 so that all Americans can exercise their right to bear arms without fear of arrest and prosecution,” Combs added.
 

HB 407 opens doors for residents of any state to exercise their Second Amendment rights and obtain a Louisiana carry license without running afoul of Louisiana’s “firearm-free zone” restrictions. It also addresses federal prohibitions on firearms in “school zones,” since federal law dictates that an individual must be “licensed to [carry] by the state in which the school zone is located.”

It also sets a standard for other states to follow. FPC argues that “no peaceable person should have to acquire a permit to exercise their natural right to keep and bear arms.” Legal victories like this one in Louisiana help shield those rights until overly restrictive state and federal laws are brought into alignment with Americans’ 2A rights.

FPC also has some action items for every American looking to lend their support to carry rights across the United States as well. First, you can reinforce the current legal victory by voicing your support for the work of Louisiana Rep. Ventrella and Gov. Landry, who helped lead the effort to pass HB 407. 

Second, concerned gun owners can contact their representatives in the U.S. Congress directly to urge lawmakers to fix and pass H.R. 38.

As for FPC, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit membership organization, it is eyeing further state and federal actions to “defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom.” You can further support FPC’s work by joining its grassroots efforts or donating to the cause.