The gun control debate is coming to the Louisiana Legislature, where Republican lawmakers are launching a counter-offensive to federal efforts to put new limits on guns.

GOP lawmakers are proposing new laws that would penalize people who publish names of concealed carry permit holders and that would seek to prohibit enforcement of any new federal restrictions on semi-automatic firearms.

Bossier City Rep. Jeff Thompson has started a statewide campaign that he says is designed to defend gun ownership rights in Louisiana. He's calling it "Defend Louisiana.''

"And the purpose is to provide the opportunity for people across Louisiana to stand together and defend the rights to protect our families and stand up for the 2nd Amendment rights," Thompson said in an interview with 99.5FM.

"We want to make sure that we take steps to defeat bad legislation and promote the things that are responsible for law abiding citizens," Thompson said.

New Orleans Rep. Helena Moreno, a Democrat and vice chair of the House criminal justice committee, says she expects the majority of bills to be considered by the panel to be on gun issues when the Legislature returns for a regular session in April.

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