Louisiana gun dealers are the most ill-informed FFL holders I have ever met, and neither the state code nor the internet is much help. I'll probably have to call a dealer around Fort Polk just to get an answer. Virginia and Kentucky both have the documentation requirements clearly posted in their gun stores. Ask any dealer in those two states (or Tennessee for that matter) and they will tell you that all you need is a copy of orders showing that you are permanently stationed there and military ID. Ask a Louisiana dealer and you will get a blank stare and a suggestion that you should just go apply for an ID card. No, "I'll check it out for you," or even a "try calling the state police." Just went to apply for a LA ID card this morning and, after dealing with the 1980's style DMV setup (Kentucky was a breeze at the local Clerk of Court, Virginia has electronic waiting systems that sort out numbers according to what you are there for; Denham Springs has the old Take a Number paper system with an overcrowded waiting room filled with fat women and kids.), I found that I could not get an ID after all. Unless I wanted to give up my Virginia license, which I incidentally just got back last March after trading in the Kentucky one. There is no way in hell I am going to have a license in a third state in less than a year. Besides, despite the fact that I own a house out here now, my home of record is in Virginia and my state of residency is Tennessee. Why risk having to file for Louisiana residency when my chances of living here for more than three years are slim? I'm rather enjoying my lack of state or vehicle taxes. Give up the VA license and I might have to pay both.
I haven't bought a hell of a lot of handguns in recent years. Still, go to Lightfighter in Oak Grove, KY with a VA license, give up a copy of my orders and military ID and walk out with a pistol. Go to Bob's Sport Shop in Chesterfield, VA with a Kentucky license, give a copy of my orders and military ID and walk out with a handgun. Go to Bowie Outfitters in Baton Rouge with a VA license, buy a .22 rifle and have to wait for a week. Walk into other gun shops in Louisiana with questions, get told they don't know the answer, and then realize that there is no answer even on the internet. I like this area, and want a handgun, but now it is a matter of principle. If buying a handgun requires more than my military ID and orders I'll just wait until I go to Virginia again.
Then again, Anonymous, Piranhas or anyone else around these parts, if you know the answer or can get it, beer is on me if ever we meet.
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