NOPD designated part of the French Quarter as a gun-free zone to combat a newly passed law which allows concealed carry of a weapon for Louianians over 18. 

Their solution: using part of their Royal Street police station as a training facility to create a new school zone. In Louisiana, you cannot carry a gun within 1,000 feet of a school zone. This zone will affect Bourbon Street and the upper French Quarter area. 

Councilmember Helena Moreno spoke out about the new vocational school in an Instagram post. 

 “The reason for this is that the 8th District Police Station will be utilized as a Vo-tech school for officer trainings. This triggers firearm free school zone laws,” Moreno said. 

Signage will be added to the impacted areas clarifying where exactly the “no gun zone” begins. 

On July 4, 2024, the new law declaring Louisiana a permitless concealed carry state went into effect. Individuals over the age of 18 are now permitted to legally carry a concealed firearm regardless if they carry a permit.

“We’re a city with a gun violence problem, we have far too many victims already…we can’t afford to lose even more because of this new permitless conceal carry law,” Moreno said. 

With the new law in place, The French Quarter became an area of concern for NOPD.  

NOPD officers underwent training focused on the effects the new law will have on the city. 

Other laws on carrying with a permit still remain. It is still illegal to carry a concealed weapon while under the influence or within firearm-free zones around schools.