You own a legal firearm. You have a concealed handgun permit. You stop at a restaurant bar for dinner with friends. Can you bring your gun inside?
The answer is more complicated than yes or no. Louisiana law draws a sharp line between where you can carry a firearm and where you cannot. That line runs right through the middle of the alcohol industry. Get it wrong, and you face a criminal charge.
This post breaks down La. R.S. 14:95.5, Louisiana’s firearm law at bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving businesses. You’ll learn who can carry, who cannot, what the law calls an alcoholic beverage outlet, and what happens if you violate it.
The Basic Rule: What the Law Says
Louisiana law is straightforward on this point: La. R.S. 14:95.5(A) says, “No person shall intentionally possess a firearm while on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet.”
That’s it. Three words matter: “intentionally,” “possess,” and “premises.”
Intentionally possess means you knew the gun was there, on your body. It’s not about accident or mistake. You brought the firearm with you, or it’s on you right now, and you know it.
On the premises means inside the building. The parking lot is not the premises. Your car in the parking lot is not the premises. But the moment you step through the door, you are on the premises.
Alcoholic beverage outlet means any commercial establishment where alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, liquor) are sold by the drink for you to drink right there, on-site. Whether alcohol is the main business or a side business does not matter for this definition. A bar is an alcoholic beverage outlet. A nightclub is an alcoholic beverage outlet. A restaurant that serves alcohol is also an alcoholic beverage outlet, even if food is the main thing they sell.
So the base rule is simple: You cannot carry a firearm inside any commercial place where alcohol is sold by the drink for on-site consumption.
Who Is Exempt? (The Good News for Some)
The law is not a total ban. Three groups of people can carry firearms on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet:
1. Owners and Employees
If you own or lease the bar or restaurant, or work there as an employee, you can carry a firearm on the premises. The law recognizes that the owner or staff may need to carry for security or safety reasons.
2. Law Enforcement Officers
A police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or other person with law enforcement authority can carry a firearm at an alcoholic beverage outlet. But there is one catch: the law lets the sheriff or police chief set departmental policy about whether officers can carry firearms at these establishments during off-duty time. In other words, even a cop may not be allowed to carry on duty or off duty, depending on the department’s rules.
3. Concealed Handgun Permit Holders—But Only at Class A Restaurants
Here is the most important exemption for everyday gun owners. La. R.S. 14:95.5(C)(2) says you CAN carry a concealed handgun at an alcoholic beverage outlet if two things are true:
- You have a valid concealed handgun permit (issued under La. R.S. 40:1379.1, 1379.3, or La. R.S. 14:95(M)), AND
- The establishment has a Class A-Restaurant permit.
So what is a Class A-Restaurant permit? Under Louisiana law, a Class A-Restaurant is a restaurant where food is the primary business and alcohol is secondary. Think Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, or your local upscale Italian restaurant with a full bar. The key is that the restaurant’s main purpose is serving food, not serving drinks.
A bar, tavern, or nightclub does not have a Class A-Restaurant permit. These are places where alcohol is the primary business. You cannot carry there, even with a concealed handgun permit.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: If you have a concealed handgun permit and you want to know if you can carry at a restaurant or bar, you need to find out if it has a Class A-Restaurant permit. The easiest way is to ask the manager or owner directly.
How to Know If You Can Carry: A Practical Guide
The difference between a restaurant and a bar is not always obvious. Some restaurants have full bars. Some bars serve full meals. The law looks at which one is the primary business. But you don’t have to guess or assume. Here is what you do:
ACTION ITEM: Call ahead or ask the manager.
Before you go to a restaurant or bar with your concealed handgun permit, ask the establishment: “Do you have a Class A-Restaurant permit?” If the answer is yes, you can carry. If the answer is no, or if they don’t know, leave the gun at home.
This one step (one five-second conversation) keeps you out of jail. It is worth doing.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
You have a concealed handgun permit. You and your spouse go to Ruth’s Chris for dinner on Saturday night. They have a full bar. You call ahead and ask: “Do you have a Class A-Restaurant permit?” The manager says yes. You can carry your firearm inside.
Example 2: The Local Tavern
You have a concealed handgun permit. You meet friends at the neighborhood tavern on Friday night for a beer. You call ahead and ask about the Class A-Restaurant permit. The manager says no, they don’t have one (they’re just a bar). You leave your gun at home.
Example 3: You Own the Bar
You own a nightclub. You can carry a firearm on the premises at all times, whether or not you have a concealed handgun permit, because you are the owner.
What Happens If You Violate This Law?
This is a criminal charge. It is not a civil fine. It is not a warning. If you are caught carrying a firearm at an alcoholic beverage outlet where you are not exempt, you can be arrested and charged with violating La. R.S. 14:95.5.
The Penalty:
- A fine of up to $500, OR jail time of up to 6 months, OR both.
But there is more to it than just the immediate penalty. A criminal conviction carries collateral consequences that can follow you for years:
- You will have a criminal record.
- Some employers will not hire you or will fire you if they find out.
- It may affect professional licenses (nursing, teaching, etc.).
- It can complicate future firearm purchases or permit renewals.
The point is this: A moment of carelessness (carrying your gun into a bar where you should not have) can create legal problems that last way longer than 6 months.
Recent Changes (2024)
Louisiana updated this law in 2024. Acts 2024, No. 37, Section 1, became effective on July 4, 2024. This is the current law. If you read an old article or old advice about firearms at bars, make sure it reflects the 2024 changes. When in doubt, ask a lawyer.
The Bottom Line
Louisiana’s law is not trying to take away your Second Amendment rights. It is trying to keep firearms out of environments where judgment might be impaired and emotions might run high. You can still carry a firearm almost everywhere else in Louisiana. Just not at the bar.
If you have a concealed handgun permit: Call ahead. Ask if the place has a Class A-Restaurant permit. One five-second conversation protects you.
If you are facing a 14:95.5 charge: Talk to a lawyer immediately. This is a criminal charge that needs professional defense. Do not wait.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Louisiana law is complex, and local procedures vary. Before relying on any information in this post, consult with a licensed Louisiana attorney. If you are facing criminal charges, hire a lawyer immediately and do not speak to law enforcement without counsel present.
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