Louisiana gun rights petition wildly popular statewide

Defend Louisiana, a statewide initiative to defend gun rights started by state Rep. Jeff Thompson, received 3,000 signatures during a Sunday stop at a gun show in his hometown of Bossier City, the Republican said Monday. Speaking to reporters at the Baton Rouge Press Club, Thompson reiterated his support for strong Second Amendment protections as well as a focus on gun safety training and education.

"We don't need a whole lot of new laws to deal with gun control. We need to enforce the laws we have on the books now. We need to make sure that law-abiding citizens are not criminalized in this process in the wake of tragedy," Thompson said, referring to the December shooting deaths of 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

"We're taking steps to make sure those who intend to handle guns know how to do so safely. We've got to do a better job. Probably more importantly, we need to make sure children in our schools are made aware of the dangers that guns pose," he added.
"We don't need a whole lot of new laws to deal with gun control. We need to enforce the laws we have on the books now," state Rep. Jeff Thompson said.

Thompson introduced a bill earlier this month to ensure concealed carry permit information is strictly protected under state law. House Bill 8 is one of five gun control, ownership rights and school safety bills filed in the past two weeks. He doesn't personally have a concealed carry permit, Thompson said after the event, but is going through the process now.