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NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans leaders concerned over the state’s new permitless concealed carry law announced they have found a way using existing law to create a gun-free zone in part of the French Quarter.

The NOPD has designated a portion of its Royal Street substation as an extension of its police academy to host classroom training. Designating the location as a vocational-technical school means the area within 1,000 feet of the station will become a firearm-free zone, because under state law guns cannot be carried near a school.

“We were unsuccessful in Baton Rouge (legislating a French Quarter carveout to the new law), and we didn’t stop,” NOPD Supt. Anne Kirkpatrick said Monday (July 1). “We looked for other pathways and it was a collective approach to finding that pathway.”

The gun-free radius around the police station includes Canal Street to Toulouse Street, and Bourbon Street to Chartres Street. The NOPD, along with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office and New Orleans City Council president Helena Moreno, collaborated after failing to persuade legislators to pass a carveout.

“Guns and crowds don’t mix,” District Attorney Jason Williams said. “Guns and alcohol don’t mix. Don’t bring your gun to the French Quarter. Leave it to the fine women and men of NOPD to protect you.”

Moreno said, “The reason why we were focused on the French Quarter is because we worry that when there is a shot fired -- several shots fired -- there is a possibility for many people to get injured or killed.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill, who along with Republican Gov. Jeff Landry backed the new state law, issued a statement Monday night critical of the NOPD’s move.

“I’m working hard to help keep New Orleans safe,” Murrill said. “But the city cannot avoid state law by unilaterally designating police stations “vo-tech locations” -- that’s just not how our community college and vocational-technical system is set up.”

Several French Quarter employees said they are optimistic this new zoning will keep them safe.

Paola Ellison said, “We have to try to get around (Gov. Jeff) Landry, but let’s hope it works.”

Kriste Mouney said, “We need to try and do everything in our power to make this a safe city and able for our tourists to enjoy themselves and make them feel safe.”

The NOPD said it is working on permits. Once approved, signs will be installed and the city’s gun-free zone map will be updated.

“We have tremendous pride in the French Quarter. It’s a jewel of New Orleans and we need to protect it,” said attorney Morris Bart, who volunteers assistance to the DA’s office.

The state’s permitless concealed carry law goes into effect Thursday (July 4) statewide, but the New Orleans officials claimed it won’t take effect until Aug. 1 in New Orleans, when an existing ordinance expires.

Murrill also disagreed with that contention.

“State law preempts municipal ordinances which conflict, so the ordinance yields to state law,” Murrill said in her statement. “I certainly hope the NOPD isn’t violating people’s rights by making up their own rules, which is why the department is under a federal consent decree.”

Landry’s office has not responded to a Fox 8 request for comment.

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