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.
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
Scan some of the following for comments. Maybe helpful or may not....
Have fun but staty alert
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.
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.
Things to know that are different from Florida:
If you are stopped by the police, you MUST INFORM that you are a licensed concealed carry holder and are currently exercising your rights, and ask the officer how he wishes to proceed. If he wants to take control of your weapon for the duration of the stop, don't argue.
If you attend church, you cannot bring your firearm into the building.
"NO GUNS" signs have the force of law in LA. It is a civil infraction to carry on any premises, not simple trespass as it is in Florida.
Read more at: http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/louisiana.pdf
Carry two.
My old general rules of thumb for New Orleans -
In the Quarter, don’t go any further from the river than Bourbon Street, or any further downstream than St. Ann.
Get out of town before sunset, or hunker down somewhere safe. I’ve known locals that have gotten mugged outside of name restaurants.
Don’t go exploring the cemeteries. They may look picturesque and interesting, but you probably won’t make it out alive.
New Orleans cops are not your friend. They are some of the most corrupt and viscous cops in the country. (At one point, there were 4 New Orleans cops on Louisiana’s death row). They’d as soon hit you over the head with a nightstick as answer your question. And concealed carry isn’t going to do you any good if the bad guy is a cop.
Tourists are considered fair game for snatch and grab, armed robbery, or recreational shooting. Always think of yourself as being in a third world country.
Remember, the best looking gals along Bourbon Street are probably guys.
If your friends tell you it’s perfectly safe, don’t trust them.
Have fun, and enjoy some of the best eating in the world. Commander’s Palace, Galatoire’s, Court of Two Sisters should be considered for high end. Cafe du Monde for Beignets and Cafe au Lait.
If you want to ride a trolley, go to Dallas. The McKinney Avenue trolley is cheaper and safer.
If you insist on going to NOLA then have a nice time and eat some great cuisine.
Be prepared for the constant stench of puke and piss if you going into the French Quarter. Rank “water” in the gutters filled with disgusting runoff.
It’s so nice to have a great meal and then step outside into the pervasive odors of decay.
We went there last May, won’t go back. The city is full of rude people, overpriced food and they are taking down the Confederate monuments in the name of PC.
I couldn’t say it better than post 19.
Personally, I will never go back to NO. The natives are very 3rd world and do not respect life. It’s the only city I’ve been to in all of my travels where I’ve had to fight off a would be attacker.