Late-summer vacationers heading for the US may want to avoid Louisiana this week - or at least keep their heads down and their hands up while visiting New Orleans, Baton Rouge et al.

The southern state has no legal limitations on assault weapons, it does not require a license or permit for the purchasing of handguns and, starting this year, the first weekend of September provides consumers with an annual sales-tax holiday on firearms and ammunition.

The muggy Louisiana air will no doubt now be filled with tax-free lead.

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