Posted on 05/05/2016 4:06:25 AM PDT by rarestia
The Rarest Missus and I will be traveling to New Orleans next week. I've checked and double-checked all of the travel requirements, and I'll be bringing my carry sidearm with me; as I seldom travel without it. Louisiana has carry reciprocity with Florida permit holders, so I'm not concerned about the lawful carrying of a weapon. I would, however, like to know if any NOLA FReepers have any advice, suggestions, or cautionary tales about carrying in the Big Easy?
If I accidentally print, is a NOLA LEO gonna jam me up for the duration of my visit?
Aside from the legally prohibited areas, where shouldn't I carry?
Do I need to worry about pickpockets or "swarm thefts" where street urchins surround you and pick your pockets?
Any businesses I should avoid?
Any advice would be very welcome. I'm not very well traveled, and going some place that's known for violent crime isn't exactly my idea of relaxation; but I'm not going to argue with Mrs. Rarest about wanting to see the place at least once.
I think it depends on where you go in the city.
The touristy areas are pretty safe during the day. And even in the evening. Outside of touristy areas, it can be sketchy. But your friends are not going to take you, or let you go to those areas.
LOL! Really? Is that noted on the door? Is it done as a historical rib, or is it a safety thing? I know in the old west, some proprietors would require the men to check their weapons. As long as they’re responsible and give me a check ticket or something, I suppose I’d be okay with it, but then I don’t know what to expect of their cuisine.
I think that’s de rigeur in most places. During the day, things are relatively calm. Make sure you’re in before sundown, and you’ll avoid the rabble rousers. I spent several years as a bouncer. I’ve had my fill of “night life.”
It was a joke.
Like I said, I’m not well-traveled.
I cannot answer your question about new Orleans as that place has and will not be on my travel agenda. However I can tell you what a county attorney in Weld County, Colorado told me about Denver. I was “summering” in Colorado and as a law abiding Arizona CCW licensee, I went to the County office in Brighton and asked. She told me that the one place to avoid was Denver. Being a safe haven for illegals, pimps, pushers, gangbangers, thugs, mugs, pugs and other undesirables, Denver is not a safe place to be for law abiding citizens with firearms. CCW license or not. Worked well except I had to miss my usual dinner at the Buckhorn Exchange.
Take a ride on the trolley and go to JacquesImo’s on Oak Street. Wonderful food. Expect a 2 hour wait for a table. The shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake is a great appetizer. The blackened redfish for dinner.
Acme Oyster House, Willies Fried Chicken, and The Scotch House.
Eat there.
L
After dark avoid dark lightly traveled streets between Bourbon and the River. Dangerous. You want to go to Jackson Square from the west end of Bourbon, take a taxi. Take a ‘pocket pistol’ and keep your eyes open. People have been assualted, robbed right on Bourbon. Just keep your eyes open and enjoy
There have been robberies and even a shootout in the “tourist area” of the French Quarter. One group was robbing upscale restaurants at night.
The city is a Democrat hellhole and is dangerous.
I’m not sure the specific CC rules. I just avoid Nola when I can. Had a relative kidnapped there from a “nice area” and raped. Many were rooting for Katrina to wipe it off the map in my family.
Scan some of the following for comments. Maybe helpful or may not....
Have fun but staty alert
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I am a NOLA native an return periodically. I carry everywhere in NOLA. Stay out of the French Quarter after dark. Don’t visit the historic cemeteries unless with a group. There are bunches of outstanding places to eat in residential areas. Think of NOLA as a huge Eloi tourist trap surrounded by tribes of Morlocks.
Do not go alone in to one of the massive cemetaries.
Voodo hooligans will descend upon you and will strip you to your shorts before disappearing.
I always parked just outside the Quarter, along Esplanade Ave, where parking is plentiful. But it’s dark and less foot traffic there. High probability of robbery there.
Some of the parking garages inside the Quarter do have armed security personnel on duty, though. The garage at the Omni Hotel was pretty safe and used to be available to anyone, not just hotel guests. Not sure if that’s still the case.
When leaving any commercial establishment, be verrrry mindful.
Typical m.o. of robbers in New Orleans is to loiter near food and drink establishments and follow groups of tourists back to their car, often hanging back a half block or so at first, so you don’t realize you’re being followed.
People go to New Orleans, especially the Quarter, to get drunk. Robbers love the heavy drinkers. They’re watching carefully, and choosing their victims. Don’t get chosen.
They don’t really want your credit card, so don’t flash, or even carry, cash.
Women who carry purses are very foolish. Tell your wife to keep her identification etc in a pocket.
Here’s what you need to know about NOPD: they’re mostly assholes, and they are not on your side.
LOL.
I have avoided NOLA since Katrina for a wealth of reasons, mostly personal, so my information may be somewhat stale. Since NOLA is a very stagnant city however, it is probably still accurate. Suggestions follow below:
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Q: If I accidentally print, is a NOLA LEO gonna jam me up for the duration of my visit?
A: I don’t know what you mean by ‘accidentally print’. Overview however is that NOLA is one of the most politically leftwing areas in the nation, and is THE most leftwing, third world, and half-assed in the South.
In contrast with the rest of the state, NOLA is VERY anti Second Amendment.
Many areas and establishments will prohibit firearms. As the city developed along a river bend, the subdivisions and street alignments are very wonky, complicated and disorienting for the newcomer. You won’t be sure where you are, and whether you are too near a school, housing project or whatever to carry. The weapon in your car should be fine, but not on your person.
Yes, if you get into trouble (something the city is reluctant to do with tourists as a general rule, but they DO hate the 2A) you will be jammed up in the Orleans Parish Prison - not a nice place - and will only be gotten out at the pace and good will of an apathetic, protected, Deep South, civil service sense of urgency. Like, two or three days if the trouble is only moderate and bail isn’t too high and it isn’t a weekend.
Q: Aside from the legally prohibited areas, where shouldn’t I carry?
A: For the reasons outlined above, I just wouldn’t carry in the city or parish at all, period. The risk-benefit factors just don’t make it worthwhile. Even carrying in your car, bear in mind when you park it that car thefts as break ins or simply stealing the whole car are frequent. My advice is to secure the weapon at your friend’s place, and use cabs or your friend’s assistance in getting around. United used to be the best cab company. All of them are sorry, but United was the least shabby.
Q: Do I need to worry about pickpockets or “swarm thefts” where street urchins surround you and pick your pockets?
A: If you go to crowd events, yes. It happens. Usually one will bump into you or push you while another does the grab while you are distracted. That used to be the fashion, anyway. By crowd events I mean parades, sporting events, music events, etc. Not normal tourist clots. The kid swarms are more beggars than pickpockets.
Q: Any businesses I should avoid?
A: I pretty much hate the entire Bourbon Street Merchants’ Association, but that’s just me. I would also avoid any and all casinos, in Orleans Parish or the entire state. Again, that’s just me, but I find all of them sleazy and don’t see any good coming out of them. At all.
Get a map of the French Quarter, aka the Vieux Carre, aka ‘da Qwatahs’. Try to stay within the boundaries of Canal, Bourbon, St. Ann and Decatur. Starting at the 800 Block of Bourbon heading towards Esplanade, the area used to be much more homosexual than the area I suggest, which is the more general interest tourist area. The Riverwalk is very nice.
Guided tours are good. Stay where you see people. Don’t follow anyone, no matter what their claim is, including damsels and children in distress, or inconvenienced ‘businessmen’. Don’t feed the beggars. Don’t encourage the “I know where you got dem shoes” guys.
Most NOPD street cops are good people. Ask them if you need help. This is the general information line for NOPD: (504) 821-2222
You might want to ask your CC questions of them before your trip. They will give you the skinny.
There are some fun riverboat tours if they are running. Also, there are many historical buildings and tours of interest, and a street car ride through the Garden District is fun for the newcomer.
If time permits, try to take in the tour of Avery Island, over on the Western side of the state. Perfect time of year for that, and a much more relaxed place than NOLA. http://www.tabasco.com/avery-island/
See the statues of General Jackson in Jackson Square and General Lee at Lee Circle before the reptilian inbred mayor has them removed.
I’m going to send you the names of some good criminal defense attorneys, in case you get into trouble. They aren’t cheap, because they are very good. Being prepared means you won’t need them. I know them. They are good guys.
Concealed means concealed.
Do some work with different clothes and have your spouse check for print.
Make sure your holster actually secures the weapon and that you can access it.
PRACTICE UNLOADED!
It’s fine to visit Denver, but as always, stay alert and don’t go looking for trouble.
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