§ 32-57. Possession of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities in court facilities or parish buildings.

(a)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Court facility means a building or part thereof owned by or operated by or under the control of the state, the parish, any municipality or other political subdivision of the state, which is used or intended to be used, in whole or in part, for court proceedings regardless of whether actual proceedings are in progress.

Dangerous weapon includes any gas, liquid or other substance or instrumentality, which, in the manner used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

Parish building means a building or part thereof owned by or operated by or under the control of the parish for any reason.

(b)

Except as provided herein, no person shall knowingly or intentionally possess or cause to be present or attempt to possess or cause to be present in court facilities or parish buildings a firearm or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon.

(c)

Except as provided herein, no person shall knowingly or intentionally possess or cause to be present or attempt to possess or cause to be present in court facilities or parish buildings any instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a means of escape or unlawful force, including but not limited to, devices discharging electrical impulses or noxious gases, liquids, or solids, which might otherwise be employed for self-defense (e.g., stun guns or mace).

(d)

This section shall not apply to peace officers, as defined by R.S. 40:2402, to include any constable, marshal, deputy marshal, sheriff, deputy sheriff, local or state police officer, commissioned wildlife agent, federal law enforcement officer, jail or prison guard, parole officer, probation officer, judge, attorney general, assistant attorney general, attorney general's investigator, district attorney, assistant district attorney, or district attorney's investigator.

(e)

Possession of a concealed handgun permit is not a defense and does not permit the bearer to enter court facilities and parish buildings as set forth herein.

(f)

Notice of this section shall be posted generally and conspicuously at each public entrance to each court facility and parish building. No person shall be convicted of an offense under this section if such notice is not posted, unless such person had actual notice of the provisions of this section.

(Code 1985, § 15-14; Ord. No. 2771, 1-23-1991; Ord. No. 2772, 2-13-1991; Ord. No. 2995, 9-8-1993; Ord. No. 5292, 3-21-2013)