Louisiana makes it a crime to publish names and addresses of concealed handgun permit holders

Gov. Bobby Jindal

Publishing names and addresses of people with permits to carry concealed handguns in Louisiana could cost offenders $10,000 and six months in jail, Lauren McGaughy reports for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. House Bill 8, signed Wednesday by Gov. Bobby Jindal, also stipulates that law enforcement or public safety employees who share the information will face up to six months in jail and a fine of $500.

"Penalties will not be imposed if the permit holder had approved the information release or if it was already in the public domain," McGaughy reports. "Publication would be allowable if the permit holder committed a felony involving a gun or if the information is subject to a court order."

The bill was introduced by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Bossier City), who told McGaughy, "It is a great day in Louisiana and across this nation for those of us who refuse to give an inch when it comes to defending our right to protect our families and we will stand strong in the defense of the Second Amendment." Thompson said the bill was in response to publishing of an online map of permit holders in suburban New York City's Westchester and Rockland counties by The Journal News. (Read more)