Latest news with #CommitteeonCriminalJustice
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gun carry law advances in House Committee
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A gun carry bill has cleared the Committee on Criminal Justice at the Louisiana State Capitol. The author of the bill, Senator Blake Miquez (R-New Iberia), said it's meant to bring consistency to all the various gun laws in the state. Opponents call it unnecessary and even add to the confusion. Gun-carrying laws have changed over the past couple of years in the state. Louisiana has become more friendly to gun carriers and Second Amendment Rights advocates. During the 2024 Second Extraordinary Legislative Session, a proposed bill written by Miguez was passed and signed into law. It allows law-abiding citizens ages 18 and older to carry their weapons without having a permit. As a result, there is a patchwork of laws dealing with three tiers of carriers: The constitutional carrier, the permit carrier, and the out-of-state carrier. Miguez authored Senate Bill 101 and said one area in which the bill offers consistency is with the 1,000-foot rule around schools. Current law prohibits the carrying of a firearm within that range, SB 101 would change that. 'The 1,000-foot zone around a school is the major part. There are some urban areas where there's a 1,000-foot zone, and it's on public property, you could walk your dog by your mailbox and be in it. We need to make sure you can defend yourself if you're a law-abiding citizen,' said Miguez. The bill does not allow the carrying of a firearm on school property, and those who are not legally allowed to carry a firearm would still be subject to prosecution for carrying a firearm near a school. The bill passed the committee, but not before opponents argued it was unnecessary and would put more guns closer to schools, creating more dangerous situations for kids. Senate Bill 101 heads to the full House for debate. Fifth inmate captured following Orleans Justice Center escapes Speaker Mike Johnson backs tax cut bill; advocates warn of Medicaid impact Gun carry law advances in House Committee Southern University students win HBCU Emmy for sports documentary Johnson, SALT Republicans zero in on critical agreement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
27-02-2025
- Axios
Dog abandoned in Tampa during Hurricane Milton evacuation prompts legislation
A state lawmaker is seeking tougher penalties for Floridians who abandon their pets during hurricanes. Why it matters: Senate Bill 150 aims to make it a third-degree felony to restrain an animal and leave it outside during a natural disaster. Catch up quick: Also called "Trooper's Law," the proposal was inspired by a bull terrier that was tied to a pole on the side of Interstate 75 near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Tampa while Floridians evacuated ahead of Hurricane Milton last year. Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted and rescued the dog, who was later named Trooper. A video of the rescue posted on X went viral. Authorities arrested and charged the dog's former owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia of Ruskin, with aggravated cruelty to animals. He pleaded not guilty, and his case was pending as of Monday, court records show. State of play: The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Pensacola, sailed through its first stop this month with bipartisan support among members of the Committee on Criminal Justice. It'll head next to the Committee on Agriculture, which is set to vote on the bill on Monday. A similar version of the legislation that was filed in the House hasn't been heard by lawmakers yet. The latest: After a few weeks of living with a foster family, Trooper was adopted by a Parkland couple late last year. The pooch has since undergone surgeries to remove cancerous tumors and trash found inside his body that he probably ate when he was living with his old owner, the couple said recently. He's since been doing well.
