Louisiana boys and the politics of delay: gun carry law implementation in the sportsman's paradise

Gun ownership and control issues are remain divisive in academic and in public policy formation and media opinion-making. Despite the recent publication of comprehensive monographs on the subject of gun ownership and how it relates to law, culture and social structure, little is known about the actual practice of promulgating and carrying out various regulations. The implementation of seemingly permissive gun carry permit legislation in Louisiana has been obscured by politicians and law enforcement officials for largely political reasons. Racial and class-oriented subtests are inherent in local and state-level political maneuvers although issues about liability are frequently invoked when permits are not granted. Virtually all major players in this micro-level analysis are unwilling to discuss the issues involved. Consequently, not even those charged with granting the permits claim to not know just what the gun carry law actually means. The ultimate result is delay, confusion and ill-will.