Summary

Requires peace officers to return seized firearms to their bearer unless the individual is charged with a crime or the weapon is evidence of a crime.

Background

During the state of emergency declared during the Katrina hurricane, the New Orleans police Superintendent instructed his officers to confiscate all firearms other than those held by the police./1/

Political Context

This bill is a companion to HB258 It was presented to the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, and testimony is available here at 1:01:30. The NRA testified in support of this bill.

Additional Links

/1/ Rabb, John Hay "Hard Times In The Big Easy: Law-abiding citizens were subject to confiscation of their firearms during the Katrina catastrophe." Guns and Ammo 5/06
Grits for Breakfast supporting this language.