Federal Law Enacted Following Post-Katrina Gun Confiscations in New Orleans

New Orleans, LA – A resurfaced social media post is drawing renewed attention to the controversial gun confiscations that occurred in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The tweet, from user Champagne Joshi, stated, > "I found this old clip from right after Hurricane Katrina where the Police and National Guard were literally going door to door and confiscating law abiding citizens guns. It’s still shocking all these years later." This sentiment reflects the lasting impact of an event that sparked significant civil liberties debate and led to federal legislation.

Following the devastating hurricane, New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass III issued an order on September 8, 2005, declaring, "No one will be able to be armed. Guns will be taken. Only law enforcement will be allowed to have guns." This directive led to police and National Guard units confiscating firearms from civilians, often without warrants, in an effort to restore order amid widespread looting and chaos.

The actions drew immediate and strong criticism from gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). These organizations filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing the confiscations were unconstitutional. A temporary restraining order was subsequently granted on September 23, 2005, halting further seizures.

In response to these events, legislative action was swiftly taken to prevent similar occurrences in future emergencies. The federal Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006, also known as the Vitter Amendment, was passed and signed into law. This act explicitly prohibits the confiscation of legally possessed firearms during a disaster or emergency if such possession is not otherwise prohibited by law.

Louisiana also enacted its own legislation, House Bill 760, which similarly restricts the seizure of firearms during a state of emergency unless directly related to a crime or immediate threat. These laws underscore a significant shift in policy, ensuring that Second Amendment rights are protected even in times of crisis, a direct legacy of the controversial actions witnessed in post-Katrina New Orleans.