Will the permit-less concealed-carry law, which takes effect in July, allow only Louisiana residents to carry without a permit? Or will residents of other states also be allowed to do so in Louisiana?

Upon Gov. Jeff Landry’s signature on March 5, Louisiana became the 28th state to allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, according to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association.

The law — which goes into effect on July 4 — allows anyone in Louisiana over the age of 18 to carry a concealed handgun without a permit as long as they are not prohibited by law from owning a firearm.

That means eligible people  can carry guns hidden in their clothing without having to pay for a government permit, having their fingerprints taken or completing a firearm training course — all of which were prior requirements.

“Crime is rampant,” said Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, who authored the gun bill. “We are offering law-abiding citizens limited options to defend themselves.”

In 2021, a similar bill was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by former Gov. John Bel Edwards.

“This bill is about making Louisiana a safer place since criminals already carry concealed firearms without regard for the law,” Miguez said. “ ‘Constitutional carry,’ using a term employed by gun rights advocates, simply puts law-abiding citizens on equal footing.”

The law will apply to anyone in Louisiana — whether they are visiting or not.

Traffic alerts

Why is the digital sign on La. 27 that alerts travelers if the Cameron Ferry or Gibbstown Bridge is out located in a place where not everyone will see it that might need that info? I count at least five routes that bypass it, including out-of-towners who might be traveling from Lake Charles Regional Airport.

In August 2016, a state project began to install signage — including flashing lights and message boards — to inform motorists of the Cameron Ferry status, explained John Guidroz, District 7 spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

That project was completed in March 2018; however, Hurricane Laura damaged the flashing light signs. The two message boards on La. 27 are still functioning.

Guidroz said DOTD is aware of the need for additional signage and is in the process of developing a project to provide communication via signs to local traffic.

In the meantime, the public has additional ways to find out the status of the Cameron Ferry in real time. On 511la.org users can select ferries to find out if the Cameron Ferry is in service or not. If it is in service, the ferry icon will be green; if not, it will be in red. The same rules apply for anyone using the 511 mobile app.

Also, on the DOTD website — http://www.dotd.la.gov/ — under the “How do I” section, users can click “Find Ferry and Bridge Status.” You can view the statuses of all ferries and moveable bridges.

The DOTD also issues news releases through MyDOTD to communicate ferry operation modifications. The public is encouraged to register online to receive these notifications.

The message boards — on La. 27 South in Sulphur north of E. Dave Dugas Road and close to Artigale Stacy Road and on La. 27 South just north of LeBoeuf Road — are in their locations because the intent was for them to be as north as possible so that traffic from most intersecting roads could be informed of the ferry status prior to driving further south, Guidroz said.

The flashing light signs that were damaged by Hurricane Laura were installed further south, he said.

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This Informer question was researched by American Press staff writer Rita LeBleu.

Confederate soldiers

A handful of American Press readers reached out to let us know their ancestors were not included in last week’s listing of Confederate soldiers buried in Southwest Louisiana.

We would like to include those names now — Z.S. Patterson, buried in Hyatt Cemetery in Merryville; W.B. Evans, Greenwood Cemetery in Jennings; Edward Howe Green, Orange-Grove Cemetery in Lake Charles; H.D. Nix, Orange Grove Cemetery in Lake Charles; Frank Pleasant, Dutch Cove Cemetery in Carlyss; Henry Clay East, Orange Grove Cemetery in Lake Charles; and Lucien Jones, Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley; and William Boliver, Old DeRidder Cemetery in DeRidder; William Dowies, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek;  William Hanchey, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; Seaborn Harper, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; William Harper, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; Henry Lee, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; James Martin, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; Samuel Pate, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; Archibald  Singletary,Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; Daniel Stracener,Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek;  Joseph Srtacener, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; and James Swiley, Shiloh Cemetery in Dry Creek; Nathaniel Nathan Ladner, Oakland Cemetery in Dry Creek; and James Monroe Lacy, Farquhar Cemetery in Vincent Settlement.

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Informer is written by Crystal Stevenson, American Press executive editor. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.