Ruston is a nice, sleepy small college town, La Tech! Good school.
Unlike Alabama, you can carry your loaded or unloaded weapon in your car any damn way you want... under the seat, in the glovebox, on the seat, it does not matter. Due to a court ruling (the "Pearl River case") your "automobile is an extension of your domacile" and your ability to have a weapon handy is the same there. Also, they have the "shoot the carjacker" law, which clearly sides with the carowner in such cases. Carjackings have since fallen to zero. A former Miss Lousiana successfully repelled invaders with her pistol in one famous news story.
Yes, they have CCW, and the usual BS that goes along with getting a CCW.
Louisiana constitution restates the 2nd amendment, but adds something to the effect, "this does not preclude passage of laws intended to prevent concealed carrying of weapons". I paraphrase here.
Under La. law, as in many other states, a weapon illegal under Federal law is illegal under La. law.
Technically, you can carry a weapon on your person in a holster on your hip. The holster can even have a flap covering the pistol. A weapon is considered concealed only if it is covered/hidden by clothing. But the reality is, if you walk down mainstreet with a pistol in a holster, they will arrest you for "disturbing the peace" even if no one complained about you.
So, they can't arrest you for BS reasons like, well, "I could not see the side of the gun laying on the seat, so that side was concealed". Concealed does not apply to a gun in your car, no matter where it is (see above). And only if covered by your clothing.
Knives with blades over 3" are considered weapons, not pocket knives. But fishermen and hunters, other workers need such knives. So, you will see people with a knife holster on their belts in plain view. Completely legal, even if you cannot see the knife itself, as the holster is in view. Ditto the weapon.
Gov. Mike Foster is the most pro-gun governor Louisiana has had in quite a while. He likes to ride his motorcycle, go hunting and fishing. A guy who had a real job before office, not a lawyer.
I have carefully studied the laws of the southern states in this regard, as well as inquired as to actuall application of the laws (such as open carry), as I travel quite a bit. It helps to know your rights.