Firearm Protection Bill Passes Louisiana House Committee

One lawmaker's bill that would rewrite the state's constitutional protections for weapon owners has just one more hurdle to clear in the legislature.

Sen. Neil Riser's bill would remove a provision that spells out legislative authority to limit concealed handguns. Opponents say the change could nullify most of Louisiana's gun limits and open the door to concealed weapons in schools, bars and the Capitol.

But the measure passed the Louisiana House Criminal Justice Committee by a 9-5 vote Wednesday and heads to the Louisiana full House for debate. If it gets legislative approval, voters would have to back the measure  in a statewide election before it could be enacted. The constitutional change would set a tougher standard for restricting the use of firearms.