New Orleans bans coolers in French Quarter Super Bowl security zone—but not guns
New details regarding New Orleans terror attack
A memorial in honor of the victims continues to grow while others are still trying to process Wednesday's truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. LiveNOW's Austin Westfall checks in with Fox News multimedia reporter Sarah Alegre on how people are reacting to the tragic incident. Retired Marine intelligence officer Hal Kempfer also joins to discuss the latest details regarding the investigation.
Visitors heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl week will encounter heightened security in the French Quarter, including bag searches and military-style checkpoints.
However, under Louisiana’s permitless carry law, legally owned firearms will still be allowed in the area. The measures, announced by Gov. Jeff Landry, are meant to prevent incidents like the deadly New Year’s Day attack that left 14 people dead.
Security precautions include bag searches for illegal items such as explosives, but under state law, adults 18 and older without a criminal record can legally carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
"Legally possessed firearms will not be restricted in the security zone," Louisiana State Police Sgt. Kate Stegall told NOLA.com.
However, firearms will still be prohibited in bars, casinos, government buildings, and along parade routes. They are also banned inside the Caesars Superdome and within the NFL’s designated security perimeter.
City leaders push for gun-free zones
The backstory:
City leaders have repeatedly pushed for restrictions on firearms in the French Quarter, arguing that dense crowds and alcohol consumption make the area especially risky for permitless carry. However, efforts to carve out a firearm restriction have been unsuccessful in the state legislature.
"You can’t bring your cooler, but you can definitely bring your Glock," Arthur Hunter, a former judge and New Orleans police officer, jokingly told NOLA.com.
New Orleans officials have also found a legal loophole to establish at least part of Bourbon Street as a gun-free zone.
Back in July, the city began working to designate the New Orleans Police Department’s 8th District station as a vocational school, which would extend a 1,000-foot firearm restriction around the building.

Atmosphere on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images)
"We were not just going to sit back and say, ‘Oh, well,’" City Council President Helena Moreno said in a press conference, according to Axios.
That designation would create a "zone of protection" spanning about five blocks, from Canal Street to Toulouse Street, covering some of the most heavily trafficked areas of Bourbon Street, attorney Morris Bart told reporters.
Police brace for enforcement challenges
What they're saying:
Despite the expanded gun laws, law enforcement officials said they will still enforce existing restrictions. Guns remain prohibited in bars and other designated areas, and police have the authority to question individuals suspected of negligent carry.
"We will continue to follow the laws of our state and enforce them accordingly," New Orleans police said in a statement.
However, some law enforcement leaders warn that while weapons may be banned in certain locations, people are likely to leave guns in their cars while visiting restricted areas, creating potential security risks.
"If somebody really feels the need to bring a gun down here and they leave it in their car, they really should be getting a lock box," NOPD Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon told WWL.
More than 300 Louisiana National Guard members, Louisiana State Police officers, and federal law enforcement agents will be present in the area throughout Super Bowl week, officials said.
The Source: This report is based on previous reporting from NOLA.com and Axios.