BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State lawmakers would be exempt from many weapons restrictions imposed on the general public, under a bill nearing final legislative passage.

The La. House criminal justice committee voted 10-2 Tuesday for the Senate-approved measure by Franklin Sen. Bret Allain, a Republican, after amending it to say lawmakers must be deemed mentally stable.

Under the measure, lawmakers could carry a weapon where law enforcement can carry, provided they go through annual training and go through a psychiatric evaluation.

Allain argued that lawmakers need to be able to defend themselves since they are often threatened.

Bradley Gulotta, of Gun Rights Across America, opposed the proposal saying legislators shouldn't get more favorable treatment than their constituents.

The proposal moves to the full House for consideration.

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Senate Bill 651 can be found at www.legis.la.gov

 

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