Additional management information:
Firearm Laws & Policies
As of February 22, 2010, federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit Louisiana Laws Search - Louisiana State Legislature to search for applicable laws. Applicable Louisiana state laws include:
- LRS Title 40 Section 1379.3
- LRS Title 14 Section 67.15
- LRS Title 14 Section 95.1
- LRS Title 14 Section 95.1.1
- LRS Title 14 Section 95.7
- LRS Title 14 Section 95.8
Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. No firearms, whether concealed or carried openly, are allowed in any National Park Services facilities in Louisiana (Federal law 18 USC 930). Facilities include buildings, structures, offices, and locations where ranger programs are conducted.
For general information about firearms in National Parks visit: Firearms in National Parks (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Monitoring
Public Notice September 2010
In accordance with National Park Service Law Enforcement Reference Manual RM-6, the public is to be notified when parks monitor security cameras through CCTV. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve uses CCTV for the purpose of monitoring security cameras to “help ensure public safety and security; facilitate the detection, investigation, prevention and deterrence of terrorist attack and crime; help ensure the safety of citizens and officers; help assist in the proper allocation and deployment of law enforcement and public safety resources; help facilitate the protection of the innocent and the apprehension and prosecution of criminals” (RM-9, 26.1).
Furthermore, the cameras will used “only…to visually monitor public park areas and public activities where no constitutionally protected reasonable expectation of privacy exists” (RM-9, 26.1). The following excerpt from RM-9, Chapter 26 orders that parks who have such programs allow for public notifications, specifically: 3.6 CCTV Public Notice and Comments All parks using CCTV shall display a copy of the CCTV policy as part of their compendium and park website. The National Park Service encourages public comments regarding its CCTV policy and procedures contained in this policy, which we will periodically reexamine and which is a matter of public record and discussion.
Appropriate government officials and the Solicitor’s Office must first review any suggested substantive revisions by the Park Service. Any public comments should be directed to the National Park Service’s Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection.
