By Nadra Enzi ——Bio and Archives--March 1, 2024
Guns-Crime-Terror-Security | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us
In order to walk to my favorite neighborhood store two blocks away in a New Orleans neighborhood near the world famous French Quarter, I must stroll through a conflict zone where six people were murdered last year.
If I follow current law,.I can't legally conceal a firearm for self defense without a state concealed carry permit.
While supporting open carry, which is legal in Louisiana, I'm not the type to advertise that I'm armed.
If I disobey this law, I set myself up for citation or arrest should an officer challenge me or after an otherwise lawful use of force.
I wish local elected officials were more sensitive to the plight of Black men to whom constitutional carry makes the difference between life or death since we don't have police officers providing us executive protection like they do the mayor and council members.
This isn't a criticism, by the way. Public figures need close protection.
I just want local public figures to recognize that everyday citizens must be our own close protection, unlike wealthy people who hire private body guards and off duty police officers to personally secure them.
Self defense never entered the constitutional carry debate from city hall. I watched and read about how this law may negatively impact NOPD safety, an important point and projections about how it'll increase already-high youth violence, another important point.
My important point is that readily accessible self defense is what Louisiana's new Constitutional Carry law means to a "safety creator" (advocate and protection professional) like me. As an advocate and protection professional, I wouldn't propose anything on my part that would further endanger law enforcement nor juveniles.
More broadly, it also means readily accessible self defense for men, women and young adults aged eighteen who aren't bothering anyone and only will create ballistic safety when forced to, in accordance with state law, should an armed assailant cross our paths.
Otherwise, no one will ever know we're armed because we aren't the aggressors.
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