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A.  Whoever commits the crime of illegal carrying of weapons pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 14:95 with any firearm used in the commission of a crime of violence as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 14:2(B), within one thousand feet of any parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both. Any sentence issued pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection and any sentence issued pursuant to a violation of a crime of violence as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 14:2(B) shall be served consecutively.

B.  As used in this Section, the following words mean:

(1)  “Firearm” means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, or assault rifle, which is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.

(2)  “Parade” for the purposes of this Section shall be defined as any celebration of Mardi Gras or directly related pre-Lenten or carnival related festivities, school parades, parish parades, state parades or municipal parades, or any demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity.

(3)  “Parade route” means any public sidewalk, street, highway, bridge, alley, road, or other public passageway upon which a parade travels.

C.  Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of the parade route shall not be a defense.

Acts 2004, No. 661, §1.