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Bail Bonds for Gun Charges
In Louisiana
Weapons charges in Louisiana range from a misdemeanor concealed-carry violation to a mandatory federal-adjacent felony for a prior felon caught with a firearm — and the bail amounts differ just as sharply. Carter Bail Bonds explains exactly what your loved one is facing and gets them out fast, 24/7, at Louisiana's straightforward 12% rate.
Table Of Contents
Jump straight to the gun charge bail bond information you need — statutes, costs, process, eligibility, and FAQs.
What Are Illegal Weapons Charges in Louisiana?
Gun Charge Bail Bonds by Type
How Much Does a Gun Charge Bail Bond Cost?
How The Gun Charge Bail Process Works
Bail Eligibility for Weapons Charges
Diversion Programs & Alternatives
What We Need When You Call
FAQs — Gun Charge Bail Bonds
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
What Are Illegal Weapons Charges in Louisiana?
Louisiana's core weapons statute, La. R.S. 14:95 ("Illegal carrying of weapons"), covers a wide range of conduct — from concealing a firearm on your person without a permit, to carrying a weapon while committing another crime. The base offense is a misdemeanor, but the penalty escalates sharply based on two main factors: whether the weapon was used during a separate crime of violence or drug offense, and whether the person carrying it is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm at all — most commonly due to a prior felony conviction.
Felon in Possession — A Separate, More Serious Statute
That second scenario — a convicted felon caught with a firearm — is charged separately, under La. R.S. 14:95.1, and it carries some of the most serious mandatory penalties on this entire site.
Gun Charge Bail Bonds by Type — Penalties & Typical Bail
Louisiana weapons charges range from the base misdemeanor illegal carrying offense through felon-in-possession, which carries a mandatory 5-to-20-year sentence. The tier drives both the sentencing exposure and the typical bail amount.
Illegal Carrying of Weapons (Base Offense)
Statute: La. R.S. 14:95(B)(1)
Concealing a firearm or other dangerous weapon on one's person, or other prohibited conduct under the statute, without an aggravating factor. See our Misdemeanor Bail Bonds overview.
Fine up to $500; imprisonment up to 6 months; or both.
Illegal Carrying of Weapons During a Crime of Violence
Statute: La. R.S. 14:95(B)(2)
Illegal carrying of weapons where the firearm was used in the commission of a separate crime of violence, as defined by La. R.S. 14:2(B).
Fine up to $2,000; imprisonment with or without hard labor, 1 to 2 years. This sentence must be served consecutively (added on top of) any sentence for the underlying crime of violence.
Weapon Possession During a Violent Crime or Drug Offense
Statute: La. R.S. 14:95(E)
Using, possessing, or having under one's immediate control a firearm or dangerous weapon while committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence, or while in possession of or during the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
Fine up to $10,000; imprisonment at hard labor, 5 to 10 years, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. On a second or subsequent conviction: 20 to 30 years at hard labor, same restrictions.
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Statute: La. R.S. 14:95.1
Possession of a firearm, or carrying a concealed weapon, by a person previously convicted of (or found not guilty by reason of insanity for) certain felonies, including crimes of violence, simple burglary, burglary of an inhabited dwelling, felony illegal use of weapons, and certain drug felonies. See our Felony Bail Bonds overview.
Fine of $1,000–$5,000; imprisonment at hard labor, 5 to 20 years, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
How Much Does a
Gun Charge Bail Bond Cost?
Louisiana law (La. R.S. 22:1443) sets the bail bond premium at 12% of the total bail amount, or $120, whichever is greater — the same rate across every licensed bail bond company in the state.
Gun Charge Bond Cost Examples
Payment plans are available. Felon-in-possession and weapon-during-violent-crime bonds often carry significant amounts given the mandatory sentencing ranges involved. We offer flexible monthly payment plans and low-down financing so the defendant can get out now and pay over time.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Zelle
- Cash accepted in person at our Lake Charles office
- Premium is non-refundable by Louisiana state law, regardless of case outcome
How The Gun Charge Bail Process Works
From arrest to release, here's what happens when you call Carter Bail Bonds for a gun charge bond in Calcasieu Parish or the surrounding parishes.
Step 1: Arrest & Booking
After a weapons-related arrest in Calcasieu Parish, the defendant is transported to the Calcasieu Correctional Center (5410 E Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70615 · 337-491-3800) for booking. Bail is set according to the parish bail schedule, or by a judge for the more serious tiers involving mandatory minimum sentences.
Step 2: Call Carter Bail Bonds
Call us with the defendant's full name, date of birth, and the arresting agency. If you're missing details, tell us anyway — we can often locate the record ourselves through the jail's booking system.
Step 3: Review Costs & Sign Paperwork
Before anything is signed, we walk you through the exact premium, payment plan options, and collateral requirements. No hidden fees.
Step 4: Bond Is Posted at the Jail
Once paperwork and payment arrangements are complete, our licensed agent posts the bond directly at the facility holding the defendant.
Step 5: Release Processing
Jail staff process the release once the bond is posted. Release from Calcasieu Correctional Center typically happens within 2–8 hours after the bond is posted.
Step 6: Release & Court Requirements
After release, the defendant must attend every scheduled court date and comply with any release conditions. Missing court can result in a warrant, bond forfeiture, and re-arrest.
Bail Eligibility for Weapons Charges
Weapons charges — from the base illegal carrying misdemeanor through felon-in-possession — are typically bailable offenses in Louisiana, though bail amounts increase sharply with the mandatory minimum sentencing ranges attached to the more serious tiers.
Weapons Charges Are Generally Bailable
The base illegal carrying charge through felon-in-possession charges are typically bailable offenses in Louisiana, though bail amounts increase sharply with the mandatory minimum sentencing ranges attached to the more serious tiers.
When Bail May Be Increased or Restricted
- Felon-in-possession charges, given the mandatory 5-year minimum
- Weapon possession during a separate crime of violence or drug offense
- Prior weapons or violent crime convictions
- Outstanding warrants or a history of failing to appear
Conditions of Release
- Surrender of any firearms not already seized
- No possession of any weapon while the case is pending
- Appearance at every scheduled court date
- No new arrests while the case is pending
Bail eligibility is always decided by a judge. Carter Bail Bonds does not set bail amounts or determine release — we post the bond once the court has set it.
Diversion Programs & Alternatives to Incarceration
For eligible defendants — particularly first-time offenders on the base illegal carrying charge — pre-trial diversion can be an option. The higher-tier weapons charges are typically not diversion-eligible given their mandatory minimum sentences.
Calcasieu Parish Pre-Trial Diversion
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Pre-Trial Diversion Program gives eligible defendants — particularly first-time, non-violent offenders — an alternative to prosecution. More information is available directly from the District Attorney's Office at calcasieuda.com.
Why Higher-Tier Gun Charges Are Rarely Diversion-Eligible
Because felon-in-possession charges and weapon-during-a-violent-crime charges carry mandatory minimum sentences "without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence," these tiers are generally not eligible for standard pre-trial diversion. The base illegal carrying charge (Type 1) is more likely to be considered, particularly for a first offense with no aggravating factors.
Diversion eligibility is determined entirely by the District Attorney's Office, not by Carter Bail Bonds. We are a licensed bail bond company — we handle release from custody, not case disposition. For questions about program eligibility, contact a Louisiana defense attorney or the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office directly.
What We Need When You Call
Having these details ready helps us move quickly and get your loved one released as fast as possible. Don't have everything? Call anyway — we can often look it up.
Full Legal Name
First, middle, and last name as it appears on their ID.
Date of Birth
Prevents confusion when multiple people share the same name in the booking system.
Jail / Detention Facility
In most Calcasieu Parish arrests, this is Calcasieu Correctional Center, 5410 E Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70615.
Booking Number
Not required, but if you have it, it speeds up locating the record considerably.
Your Contact Info
Your name, phone number, and relationship to the defendant so we can keep you updated at every step.
Approximate Bail Amount (If Known)
If the court has already set bail, knowing the amount lets us start calculating your premium and payment options immediately.
FAQs — Gun Charge Bail Bonds
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most about weapons and gun charge bonds in Louisiana.
Service Areas — Parishes We Serve
Carter Bail Bonds posts weapons and gun charge bonds across Southwest Louisiana. Select your parish to learn more, or call us directly if you don't see your parish listed — we work statewide.
Calcasieu Parish
Lake Charles · Sulphur · Westlake · Iowa · Vinton
Jefferson Davis Parish
Jennings · Welsh · Lake Arthur · Elton
Beauregard Parish
DeRidder · Merryville · DeQuincy area
Allen Parish
Oakdale · Oberlin · Kinder · Elizabeth
Cameron Parish
Cameron · Creole · Grand Chenier · Hackberry