Surpeme Court ruling does not affect state gun owners

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting. The court’s 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia’s 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment.

What does that mean to a gun owner in Louisiana? Nothing!

Gun owners in Louisiana have enjoyed the right to own a gun, whereas in Washington D.C. it was against the law to have a gun and ammunition in the house at the same time. Opponents of the law have said it prevents residents from defending themselves.

The Supreme Court’s ruling changes that to where homeowners can have a gun and have it loaded without breaking the law.

Blake Boudreaux, general sales manager of Lafayette Shooters, said, “Louisiana and states along the coast, we are liberated when it comes to gun laws. We are more educated about guns.”

In Louisiana, residents can carry a hand gun exposed without breaking the law, said Boudreaux.

To buy a gun in Louisiana, one must be 18 years old to buy a rifle or shotgun, and 21 to buy a pistol. The background checks takes only five minutes these days.

If you pass the background check, you can walk out of the store with a gun.

Abbeville Police Chief Rick Coleman applauded the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“If you want to go buy a handgun, you can go buy it,” said Coleman.