Is handguns legal or not in Louisiana?

Answer 1

You did not specify in your question if you meant OPEN carry or CONCEALED carry. Each one is handled differently in the state of LA. In ALL cases however, USE of said firearm is not universally allowed. After a case of public discharge of a firearm, law enforcement and/or the court system will determine if said firearm discharge was justified. This is the case whether you have a concealed carry permit or not.

I will briefly handle both here.

OPEN Carry:

LA in almost all cases allows open carry of firearms, even in a vehicle. The specific restrictions of this as of this writing (04/03/2010) is as follows:

Public buildings -- including any local government building, court house, K-12 school buildings, etc.

Certain Commercial Establishments -- These establishments, as of 2009, are required to post conspicuous signs at all entrances stating their policies restricting firearm carrying.

College Campuses -- Universally restricted by state statute.

CONCEALED Carry:

As with most states, concealed carry requires a permit.

LA does has reciprocity agreements with many other states. This is to say that if you have a concealed carry permit valid in another state, it may be valid in LA. Again, as of this writing (04/03/2010), the following states' permits are NOT valid in LA:

CA, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OH, OR, RI, WI.

Again, these permits do not allow for the discharge of your firearm. Simply for the concealed carry of said firearm. Also, whether you have a LA concealed carry permit or a permit valid via reciprocity, the weapon must be on your person. You cannot carry the weapon concealed in your glove-box or under the seat, etc.

Answer 2

Yes, handguns are perfectly legal in Louisiana, as long as the gun isn't stolen, and as long as the person possessing the gun isn't a prohibited person.