POLICE/LOCAL: Requires police departments to provide notice of illegal discharge of a firearm (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tammy Phelps

Creates a state public awareness campaign to prevent discharging firearms into the air in public areas, with annual outreach and coordinated messaging.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 640.

Purpose and Intent

Establishes a state-level public awareness campaign focused on preventing the discharge of firearms into the air in public areas where such discharge is prohibited.

The bill directs the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC), Office of State Police, to disseminate information about the dangers and criminal penalties associated with discharging a firearm into the air.

Key Provisions and Changes

Adds a new statute: R.S. 40:1381.1, Public Awareness; Discharge of Firearm.

Aims to promote prevention of discharging firearms into the air in public areas where prohibited.
Authorized activities include public service announcements (radio, TV, social media), information kits and brochures, promotion of hotlines, and general information about the dangers and penalties.

Collaboration and Coordination

The Office of State Police may collaborate with the Louisiana Department of Health and with municipal police departments to implement the section’s provisions, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Dissemination of Materials

The Office of State Police must disseminate public awareness materials to the public and to municipal police departments for further distribution.

Funding

Public awareness activities must be funded using funds already allocated for public awareness efforts, and may come from the DPS&C, the Louisiana Department of Health, or municipal police departments.

Timing/Seasonal Dissemination

The required public messaging should be disseminated each year during two specified windows:
May 15 through July 5
November 15 through January 1

Affected Parties

Primary: Louisiana residents and the general public in public spaces where discharging a firearm is prohibited.

Secondary: Law enforcement agencies, particularly municipal police departments, which will disseminate the materials locally.

Collaborating Agencies: Louisiana Department of Health and municipal police departments.

Funding Stakeholders: DPS&C (Office of State Police), Louisiana Department of Health, and municipal police departments that allocate funds for public awareness purposes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Enactment adds new statutory authority (R.S. 40:1381.1).

Implementation involves rulemaking as needed under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Annual dissemination windows are fixed: May 15–July 5 and November 15–January 1.

The bill does not create new penalties or enforcement mechanisms; it focuses on public education about existing dangers and penalties.

Practical Implications

Enhances public safety messaging to reduce firearm discharge into the air in public areas.

Provides a structured, recurring outreach plan with specific dissemination periods.

Leverages existing funding streams and interagency collaboration to implement public awareness campaigns.

Note: The bill’s fiscal impact references $0 net new funding in the note, with existing funds being used for dissemination activities.

Bill