"The authorities always tell you to call 911," [NRA member Robert] Pratt said. "Well, with all the lines down, nobody in New Orleans could call 911. How could people protect themselves?"

A Louisiana state statute allows the chief law enforcement officer to "regulate possession" of firearms during declared emergencies.

Pratt said he has no problem with the regulations.

"But regulate is different than confiscate," he said. "If they want to lock down guns stores or tell the citizens they can't leave their property while carrying a gun that's fine. But going into peoples' homes and taking away their protection is unconstitutional."