• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Opelousas La no OC

Steelhorse

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
13
Location
Breaux Bridge
I was at a gas station this morning in Op. I was approached by an officer asking if I had a concealed permit. I asked why cause I thought La was an OC state. He stated yes but the City of Opelousas is not. I showed him my permit and he asked if I would just cover my weapon while I was in city limits. He was very polite about it all. So if you are in this city, be aware.
 

JoeSparky

Centurion
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
3,621
Location
Pleasant Grove, Utah, USA
Unless that city has a specific ordinance requiring concealment and the state has no effective preemption then you experienced the vaunted OEO or Opinion Enforcement Officer!
 
Last edited:

Fallschirjmäger

Active member
Joined
Aug 4, 2007
Messages
3,823
Location
Cumming, Georgia, USA
"That there carryin' openly like that's illegal. But I'm gonnna be a nice guy and not arrest ya for breaking the law, onna count I'm such a nice guy 'n' all. Any other policeman would run ya in, but I'm just gonna ignore your criminal behavior..... this time."

So... were his lips moving when he told you it was illegal?
 
Last edited:

sraacke

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
1,214
Location
Saint Gabriel, Louisiana, USA
Unless that city has a specific ordinance requiring concealment and the state has no effective preemption then you experienced the vaunted OEO or Opinion Enforcement Officer!

I checked Municode and nothing for Opelousas was listed. I found the city website at http://www.cityofopelousas.com/ and again, no local ordinances or statutes listed.
When something like this happens it is important that we ask the officer politely to cite the statute so that we may advise others.
 

R.D.

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2013
Messages
17
Location
Houma La
I checked Municode and nothing for Opelousas was listed. I found the city website at http://www.cityofopelousas.com/ and again, no local ordinances or statutes listed.
When something like this happens it is important that we ask the officer politely to cite the statute so that we may advise others.

I was filing up in Opelousas a month or so back next to a OPD officer, we had a good talk he never mentioned my 45 on my hip
 

EMNofSeattle

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
3,670
Location
S. Kitsap, Washington state
"That there carryin' openly like that's illegal. But I'm gonnna be a nice guy and not arrest ya for breaking the law, onna count I'm such a nice guy 'n' all. Any other policeman would run ya in, but I'm just gonna ignore your criminal behavior..... this time."

So... were his lips moving when he told you it was illegal?

If I was you, I'd take that there gun and march to the county line, and stop pollutin the minds of this here fine little town.....

So what if the OP didn't have a CPL would the officer march him to the city limit? :rolleyes:
 

davidmcbeth

Banned
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
Location
earth's crust
I was at a gas station this morning in Op. I was approached by an officer asking if I had a concealed permit. I asked why cause I thought La was an OC state. He stated yes but the City of Opelousas is not. I showed him my permit and he asked if I would just cover my weapon while I was in city limits. He was very polite about it all. So if you are in this city, be aware.

Problem I see is that you had no idea if he was lying or not.

The law requires you to know ... if a "mistake" is made by you, you'll be in hot water.

The OP needs to review the laws of the areas he travels and carries if he wants to abide to unconstitutional laws.
 

ATM

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Aug 1, 2009
Messages
360
Location
Indiana, USA
it wasn't a fabrication. The city has a preempted law banning OC in city limits. Glad I don't live there.

He fabricated a false sense of legal obligation which did not exist to compel you to conceal.

What was he going to do if you hadn't complied, attempt to enforce a local ordinance which can't be found despite the fact that it would be nullified by state preemption even if it did exist?

Sgt. Bowser tried that in another thread - it didn't pan out so well for him or his department. :lol:
 

Steelhorse

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
13
Location
Breaux Bridge
I'm unable to find the law. Do you have a copy of it?

I'll try and get a copy. I called the City Hall and they qouted some ordinance number but I was unable to write it down. I just haven't been back to that city to get a copy. I'll let ya know when I do.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
I'll try and get a copy. I called the City Hall and they qouted some ordinance number but I was unable to write it down. I just haven't been back to that city to get a copy. I'll let ya know when I do.
Would be far easier and quicker to email them - point out that your email IS a FOIA request.
 

sraacke

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
1,214
Location
Saint Gabriel, Louisiana, USA
Would be far easier and quicker to email them - point out that your email IS a FOIA request.
Grapeshot,
Would FOIA cover local government? I know it covers Federal but was unsure about stuff at the lower levels like this.
Louisiana does have a public records law.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=99688
RS 44:31
Right to examine records

A. Providing access to public records is a responsibility and duty of the appointive or elective office of a custodian and his employees.

B.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter or as otherwise specifically provided by law, and in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter or as otherwise specifically provided by law, and in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, any person may obtain a copy or reproduction of any public record.

(3) The burden of proving that a public record is not subject to inspection, copying, or reproduction shall rest with the custodian.

Amended by Acts 1978, No. 686, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1154, §1; Acts 2004, No. 759, §1.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Grapeshot,
Would FOIA cover local government? I know it covers Federal but was unsure about stuff at the lower levels like this.
Louisiana does have a public records law.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=99688
RS 44:31
Right to examine records

A. Providing access to public records is a responsibility and duty of the appointive or elective office of a custodian and his employees.

B.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter or as otherwise specifically provided by law, and in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter or as otherwise specifically provided by law, and in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, any person may obtain a copy or reproduction of any public record.

(3) The burden of proving that a public record is not subject to inspection, copying, or reproduction shall rest with the custodian.

Amended by Acts 1978, No. 686, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1154, §1; Acts 2004, No. 759, §1.

That statute says it all - public records ARE subject to FOIA requests.
 

sraacke

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
1,214
Location
Saint Gabriel, Louisiana, USA
I spoke with Sgt Jody White, OPD Public Information Officer, and requested a copy of the statutes banning OC in his that city. He was out of the office when I called him but assured me that he would look up the information for me. He provided me his email. I sent him an email requesting relevant statutes as well as wording and dates enacted and/or amended per RS 44:31. I expect a reply later today.
 

Steelhorse

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
13
Location
Breaux Bridge
I spoke with Sgt Jody White, OPD Public Information Officer, and requested a copy of the statutes banning OC in his that city. He was out of the office when I called him but assured me that he would look up the information for me. He provided me his email. I sent him an email requesting relevant statutes as well as wording and dates enacted and/or amended per RS 44:31. I expect a reply later today.

I talked with a Lisa Anderson (I think it was Anderson), at city hall and after doing some looking she called me back and said she did not find any such ordinance. The only thing she could find was for CC.
 
Top