Three Louisiana Republican Senators, Patrick Connick, Louie Bernard and Franklin Foil — who all previously supported constitutional carry flipped Tuesday and voted against the veto override attempt. Louisiana Senate Bill 118 failed on a 23-15 vote. It needed their three votes in order to move to the House.
In a tweet, Gun Owners of American called their conduct “shameful,” and pointed out that the three Republicans only voted pro-gun “until it mattered.”
Their betrayal of gun owners speaks VOLUMES, as they only voted "pro-gun" earlier in the session when their votes didn't matter. Gun owners will remember this backstab at the ballot box.
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) July 20, 2021
Only one Democrat, Senator Gary Smith, flipped and voted to protect the governor’s veto. Smith had voted previously to support constitutional carry.
Senator Bernard said he changed his mind after talking with local law enforcement.
“I wouldn’t want to go to bed at night knowing I had created any additional layer of risk” for police, Bernard told local media.
The National Rifle Association called the override failure a “temporary setback.”
This temporary setback must be rectified when Louisianans elect new, genuinely pro-gun senators.@Louie_Bernard_ @FranklinFoil @FranklinJFoil @JPConnick pic.twitter.com/eHAosY57F2
— NRA (@NRA) July 20, 2021
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