Louisiana?

M

Midgetje93

Joined
Jul 30, 2023
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Visiting New Orleans in October (not my first choice but wife really wants to go) not getting political or into any type of debate.

Mainly I, like probably most of y’all, feel naked without a knife for just daily tasks. But also New Orleans isn’t quite like it was last time I went (probably about 10-15 years ago) crime stats aside. Being in a known “tourist area” I’d like my knife to be on the defensive side of things too. (Navy VBSS Veteran. So I’m more cautious with the situational awareness. Rather have and not need than need and not have.)

Any laws I should be aware of? I know that area is fairly “lawless” but rather be on the safe side.
 
There are no knife restrictions on owning or open carrying (a pocket clip is generally considered open carrying) any type of knife on a state level (thanks knife rights, autos became unrestricted a couple of years ago). Carrying a knife concealed must have a blade length of 2 3/4” or less.
I go to New Orleans a couple times a year and generally carry a firearm and modern folder of choice.
I’ve never had any real trouble with crime but it’s definitely there. I don’t stumble around drunk and I don’t flaunt a high dollar watch or a big bank roll in sketchy areas.

Stay in a reputable hotel and not an air b&b. Carry yourself well, be aware of your surroundings and enjoy your time there.

May I ask what brings yall to New Orleans?
 
3fifty7 said:
There are no knife restrictions on owning or open carrying (a pocket clip is generally considered open carrying) any type of knife on a state level (thanks knife rights, autos became unrestricted a couple of years ago). Carrying a knife concealed must have a blade length of 2 3/4” or less.
I go to New Orleans a couple times a year and generally carry a firearm and modern folder of choice.
I’ve never had any real trouble with crime but it’s definitely there. I don’t stumble around drunk and I don’t flaunt a high dollar watch or a big bank roll in sketchy areas.

Stay in a reputable hotel and not an air b&b. Carry yourself well, be aware of your surroundings and enjoy your time there.

May I ask what brings yall to New Orleans?
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As we are flying the firearm will be staying home. Just easier. And I’m not expecting any issue. Just curious. I’m thinking a CRKT Fossil may be the right one for utility and potential deterrent.

And for sure. Card only. Minimal cash on hand. Bought wife a cheaper handbag as to try to minimize unwanted attention. Staying in a hotel about a block or two off Canal.

Like I said I’m generally over observant about surroundings. But that’s never a bad thing. The hard part was training to do it naturally without looking like a paranoid freak.

And just a annual vacation. We usually take a few days here and there. (We live north of the Dallas area) in the past it’s been a weekend in Austin, San Antonio, Houston. Little get aways. But after being married 3 years we have a bit more savings and want to branch out a bit. So spending a week in New Orleans. Gonna sight see, I’m a big history/“spooky” history fan. So pretty much tourist stuff. Ghost tour, swamp tour. Maybe museum of death.

I was a BBQ Pit Master the last 4 years. Spent most my life in kitchens. So trying to find the best food in the area.
 
Gotta check out the voodoo stores- even the touristy ones are way cool to see if you enjoy macabre stuff. Get up one morning and wait in line for the Du Monde Beignets. And if you get a chance you HAVE to see the WW2 museum, it’s one of the coolest places of its type that I’ve seen.

I wouldn’t say it’s any worse than the shady parts of downtown Dallas- act like you’re not a victim and you probably won’t be. Most people in the streets are either partying, hustling, or struggling- but that doesn’t mean they’re out for trouble.
 
AdamFuzzyballs said:
Gotta check out the voodoo stores- even the touristy ones are way cool to see if you enjoy macabre stuff. Get up one morning and wait in line for the Du Monde Beignets. And if you get a chance you HAVE to see the WW2 museum, it’s one of the coolest places of its type that I’ve seen.

I wouldn’t say it’s any worse than the shady parts of downtown Dallas- act like you’re not a victim and you probably won’t be. Most people in the streets are either partying, hustling, or struggling- but that doesn’t mean they’re out for trouble.
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Oh I know. I don’t anticipate any issue. Just wanted to check into any knife legality
 
Check out Frenchman Street, there are several excellent restaurants, and get out of the city for a swamp tour. The plantations and Oak Alley were very interesting. In the city stay in the French quarter and garden district, and get some fresh donuts late at night from the spot down by the water!
 
Hopefully yall will enjoy the trip.
The WWII museum is a must see, it will take the better part of a day to walk through it all.
Very nice restaurants: Commanders Palace & Arnauds are classic New Orleans staples I prefer August but we don’t always do high end when we go.
GW Fins, Peche, Acme Ouster House are great.
If you are looking for a Muffuletta Central Grocery(you just have to pick it up next door at the bottle shop due to damage and renovations) or VetriMart.

Check out Jean Lafittes bar get a purple drank if you want to feel New Orleans or my go to is a double Jack and sprite with a couple cherry bombs in a large to go cup.
 
3fifty7 said:
Hopefully yall will enjoy the trip.
The WWII museum is a must see, it will take the better part of a day to walk through it all.
Very nice restaurants: Commanders Palace & Arnauds are classic New Orleans staples I prefer August but we don’t always do high end when we go.
GW Fins, Peche, Acme Ouster House are great.
If you are looking for a Muffuletta Central Grocery(you just have to pick it up next door at the bottle shop due to damage and renovations) or VetriMart.

Check out Jean Lafittes bar get a purple drank if you want to feel New Orleans or my go to is a double Jack and sprite with a couple cherry bombs in a large to go cup.
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I don’t drink much anymore. (Chronic hypertension at age 30. So quit cigarettes and drinking the day I left the ER). But the bar is a place I want to see. I’m a big fan of pirate history. And Jean Lafitte is pretty much the Robin Hood of pirate/privateers.
 
Louisiana State law regarding concealed weapons was recently amended last year to make all knife carry legal with a concealed handgun permit. The statutory text can be found under Title 14, Section 95.
The short version is that open carry is completely fine. Concealed, without having a gun permit, is the tricky part, due to the phrasing "other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon." This phrasing generally refers to knives designed to be used exclusively as weapons, rather than utilitarian purposes. There is a curious lack of case law on this, suggesting this part of the law is practically never enforced unless the carrier commits an actual assault or murder.
There is no mention of blade length whatsoever in any part of state law.
New Orleans has just two laws related to knife carry. Under Sec. 54-339, it is illegal to carry a switchblade. Under Sec. 54-342, it is illegal to carry any kind of knife while "while participating in or attending a demonstration being held at a public place." Note this is not the same as merely being in the vicinity of a demonstration.

On a practical note, remember to layer your defense. The knife shouldn't be your only tool. A knife's primary use is a "get off me" weapon, especially against a surprise front or rear choke, or a limb grab. It's not really useful for much else, at least not justifiably.
 
AdamFuzzyballs said:
Gotta check out the voodoo stores- even the touristy ones are way cool to see if you enjoy macabre stuff. Get up one morning and wait in line for the Du Monde Beignets. And if you get a chance you HAVE to see the WW2 museum, it’s one of the coolest places of its type that I’ve seen.

I wouldn’t say it’s any worse than the shady parts of downtown Dallas- act like you’re not a victim and you probably won’t be. Most people in the streets are either partying, hustling, or struggling- but that doesn’t mean they’re out for trouble.
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Do not wait in line, it's for to go and tourist who don't know any better, find you a table and sit down.

M.S. Rau is like a museum with price tags, lots of cool stuff to look at.
Magazine St over in the garden district is a little slower pace and a lot cleaner if you want to venture west. As the other guys have said, the WWII Museum is a don't miss, the Aquarium is pretty cool too.
 
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glistam said:
Louisiana State law regarding concealed weapons was recently amended last year to make all knife carry legal with a concealed handgun permit. The statutory text can be found under Title 14, Section 95.
The short version is that open carry is completely fine. Concealed, without having a gun permit, is the tricky part, due to the phrasing "other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon." This phrasing generally refers to knives designed to be used exclusively as weapons, rather than utilitarian purposes. There is a curious lack of case law on this, suggesting this part of the law is practically never enforced unless the carrier commits an actual assault or murder.
There is no mention of blade length whatsoever in any part of state law.
New Orleans has just two laws related to knife carry. Under Sec. 54-339, it is illegal to carry a switchblade. Under Sec. 54-342, it is illegal to carry any kind of knife while "while participating in or attending a demonstration being held at a public place." Note this is not the same as merely being in the vicinity of a demonstration.

On a practical note, remember to layer your defense. The knife shouldn't be your only tool. A knife's primary use is a "get off me" weapon, especially against a surprise front or rear choke, or a limb grab. It's not really useful for much else, at least not justifiably.
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I know it shouldn’t be my only line of defense. And it’s not. My training and mentality is. I just opted not to fly with a firearm this time.

I know I’m not likely gonna pull a knife. But it can be a deterrent. Especially when trained.

I’m trained to avoid issues. But also competent to get out of issues. Not saying I’m macho bullet proof man. But I’m comfortable carrying only a blade if needed.
 
8/1/23 it is legal to carry an automatic concealed now. Basically, you can carry any fixed or folder, open or concealed in State law, but New Orleans forbids switchbladess. In 2012 assisted openings were defined, as opposed to automatics. Opener device, thumb stud or flipper, on the blade and detent. Auto is on the handle. Research this to your comfort level a bit more. Knife Rights and AKTI.
Just know that the young criminals in NO most likely have a gun.
 
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Cochons is a must if you visit WWII museum. Audubon Zoo is top notch.

Unfortunately you can’t talk about the big NO without talking about the crime.

But if I were visiting New Orleans. I’d check a firearm for the flight. I live a few miles north and get quite a bit of the criminal overflow.

As others stated. No state law governs what you can carry. Strap a 2 handed bastard sword to your back if you like. BUT “New Orleans” incorporates quite a few municipalities, and some may have antiquated laws on books. BUT that being said 99.9% of people not actively participating in criminal activity don’t get patted down by the police. And fortunately Louisiana is pretty high on personal rights of defending yourself. I’d bring the pistol…… and several knives.

But New Orleans is a cesspool so Id avoid it at all cost, the North Shore is very nice though.

When the sun goes down, best to be behind locked doors.
 
Gravelface said:
But New Orleans is a cesspool so Id avoid it at all cost, the North Shore is very nice though.

When the sun goes down, best to be behind locked doors.
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That’s what I’ve said. Louisiana is a beautiful state. Unfortunately NO is a cesspool as you said. But that’s where the wife wants to go. I much rather hang out in Shreveport or Lake Charles areas.

I grew up “touring” playing music. Been all around and played some great locations. There’s tons of fun in Louisiana. But unfortunately I don’t expect this to be one in all honesty.

But it’s the wife. Gonna try to make the best of it
 
Seriously. An Airb&b in Abita Springs or Madisonville. Quick drive across the causeway bridge to New Orleans for day adventures then retreat back to the safety of St Tammany parish. Which has tons of safe nightlife festivities in itself.
 
Gravelface said:
Seriously. An Airb&b in Abita Springs or Madisonville. Quick drive across the causeway bridge to New Orleans for day adventures then retreat back to the safety of St Tammany parish. Which has tons of safe nightlife festivities in itself.
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You’re obviously more knowledgeable about the area than I am lol. Staying at the Holiday Inn on O’Keefe and Union
 
Spent my teenage years in Mid-City. A lot of what I miss about the city, ain't dere no more . I still have in-laws that we visit frequently.
It's a old city where the environment can change from block to block. You sound like you know how to monitor your surroundings, so you'll have a safe visit. There still is a lot of great music and chow to be found.
 
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