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Until the late 1980s, Burns was an independent [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] operator. When the business failed, he launched his bakery despite the odds against success and his having to learn the business from scratch. "I went from crude oil to Crisco oil," Burns said, noting that his [[accountant]], [[banker]]s, and [[attorney]] told him that he had too much debt for his venture to succeed. Nevertheless, the Wooden Spoon had some success: "No one knew I was down and out because I had a smile on my face and never stopped." Burns said that the bakery succeeded because "people respond to cookies ... [as] a reminder of their childhood."<ref>"State Representative offers students encouragement", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 3, 2008.</ref>

Until the late 1980s, Burns was an independent [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] operator. When the business failed, he launched his bakery despite the odds against success and his having to learn the business from scratch. "I went from crude oil to Crisco oil," Burns said, noting that his [[accountant]], [[banker]]s, and [[attorney]] told him that he had too much debt for his venture to succeed. Nevertheless, the Wooden Spoon had some success: "No one knew I was down and out because I had a smile on my face and never stopped." Burns said that the bakery succeeded because "people respond to cookies ... [as] a reminder of their childhood."<ref>"State Representative offers students encouragement", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 3, 2008.</ref>

   

   

Burns graduated in 1965 from Shongaloo High School. He received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in upper elementary education from Northwestern State University in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] and his [[Master of Arts]] in educational administration from [[Pepperdine University]], a [[Churches of Christ]] institution in [[Malibu]], [[California]].<ref name=pvs/>

Burns graduated in 1965 from Shongaloo High School. He received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in upper elementary education from Northwestern State University in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] and his [[Master of Arts]] in educational administration from [[Pepperdine University]], a [[Churches of Christ]] institution in Malibu in coastal  [[California]].<ref name=pvs/>

==Military service==

==Military service==

Burns was commissioned on the steps of the [[U.S. Capitol]] as a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Army]] by then [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joe Waggonner]] of Louisiana's 4th congressional district. An explosive ordnance]officer with specialty in nuclear weapons, Burns also trained Army Special Forces and [[United States Navy]] Seals in the defusing of bombs. He retired from the militarty at the rank of lieutenant colonel.<ref name=forstatesenate/>

Burns was commissioned on the steps of the [[U.S. Capitol]] as a second lieutenant in the [[United States Army]] by then [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joe Waggonner]] of Louisiana's 4th congressional district. An explosive ordnance]officer with specialty in nuclear weapons, Burns also trained Army Special Forces and [[United States Navy]] Seals in the defusing of bombs. He retired from the militarty at the rank of lieutenant colonel.<ref name=forstatesenate/>

   

   

From 1971 to 1974, he earned his military branch assignment at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in [[Maryland]] as an ordnance officer with the "Bomb Squad". He instructed joint service personnel, allied forces, [[NATO]] forces, foreign nationals, and [[FBI]] and [[CIA]] officers on military munitions, clandestine devices, embassy and [[U.S. President|presidential]] security, and special weapons.  He received the Navy Commendation Medal. From 1974 to 1977, Burns transferred to [[Hawaii]] as a special weapons officer, served as a branch chief, and received the Army Commander Medal. From 1978 to 1979, he joined the [[United States Army Reserves]] in [[Livonia, Michigan|Livonia]], [[Michigan]], where he served as company commander for a  [[prisoner of war]] camp. From 1979 to 1997, Burns served in the 4th Brigade, 95th Division and 4158th USAR School.  

From 1971 to 1974, he earned his military branch assignment at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in [[Maryland]] as an ordnance officer with the "Bomb Squad". He instructed joint service personnel, allied forces, [[NATO]] forces, foreign nationals, and [[FBI]] and [[CIA]] officers on military munitions, clandestine devices, embassy and [[U.S. President|presidential]] security, and special weapons.  He received the Navy Commendation Medal. From 1974 to 1977, Burns transferred to [[Hawaii]] as a special weapons officer, served as a branch chief, and received the Army Commander Medal. From 1978 to 1979, he joined the [[United States Army Reserves]] in Livonia, [[Michigan]], where he served as company commander for a  [[prisoner of war]] camp. From 1979 to 1997, Burns served in the 4th Brigade, 95th Division and 4158th USAR School.<ref name=forstatesenate/>

   

   

Burns was activated in 1987 and 1989 to serve as the operations officer for Lone Ironman I and II, a test to verify readiness training conducted at Fort Polk near Leesville in Vernon Parish in western Louisiana.. Burns received the [[Meritorious Service Medal, the highest peacetime medal for duty performance.

Burns was activated in 1987 and 1989 to serve as the operations officer for Lone Ironman I and II, a test to verify readiness training conducted at Fort Polk near Leesville in Vernon Parish in western Louisiana.. Burns received the [[Meritorious Service Medal, the highest peacetime medal for duty performance.<ref name=forstatesenate/>

==Political career==

==Political career==

As a Democrat, Burns served fifteen years on the school board. In 1998, he ran third as a Democrat in the primary election for Bossier Parish property tax assessor, the position held in Webster Parish by his brother, Kerry Burns. The victor in the ensuing [[general election]] was Republican Bobby W. Edmiston.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 3, 1998.</ref>

As a Democrat, Burns served fifteen years on the school board. In 1998, he ran third as a Democrat in the primary election for Bossier Parish property tax assessor, the position held in Webster Parish by his brother, Kerry Burns. The victor in the ensuing [[general election]] was Republican Bobby W. Edmiston.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 3, 1998.</ref>

Burns switched parties in 2006 and entered the legislative race vacated by the term-limited Billy Montgomery, who ran instead, unsuccessfully, the state Senate, having lost to former state Representative [[B. L. "Buddy" Shaw]] of [[Shreveport]]. Burns won Montgomery's House seat by eighty-seven votes in the primary held on October 20, 2007. In the [[Republican Party|GOP]]-oriented district, Burns defeated fellow Republican Richey Jackson, also of Haughton and an employee of the Bossier-Webster District Attorney's office, 5,225 (50.4 percent) to 5,138 (49.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

Burns switched parties in 2006 and entered the legislative race vacated by the term-limited Billy Wayne Montgomery, who ran instead, unsuccessfully, the state Senate, having lost to former state Representative [[B. L. "Buddy" Shaw]] of [[Shreveport]]. Burns won Montgomery's House seat by eighty-seven votes in the primary held on October 20, 2007. In the [[Republican Party|GOP]]-oriented district, Burns defeated fellow Republican Richey Jackson, also of Haughton and an employee of the Bossier-Webster District Attorney's office, 5,225 (50.4 percent) to 5,138 (49.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Primary election returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

Burns served on these House committees:  (1) Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development; (2) Natural Resources and Environment; and (3) Transportation, Highways and Public Works. He is also affiliated with the Louisiana Rural Caucus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=9|title=Louisiana House of Representatives website, Henry L. Burns|publisher=Louisiana.gov|accessdate=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

Burns served on these House committees:  (1) Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development; (2) Natural Resources and Environment; and (3) Transportation, Highways and Public Works. He is also affiliated with the Louisiana Rural Caucus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=9|title=Louisiana House of Representatives website, Henry L. Burns|publisher=Louisiana.gov|accessdate=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

==Legislative ratings and record==

==Legislative ratings and record==

In 2010, Burns' legislation to permit weapons into houses of worship passed the legislature and was signed into law by then Governor [[Bobby Jindal]], a Republican. The measure passed as an amendment to a concealed weapons permit proposal. ''the New Orleans Times-Picayune'' said that Burns' bill "authorized persons who qualified to carry concealed weapons having passed the training and background checks to bring them to churches, mosques, synagogues or other houses of worship as part of a security force. The pastor

In 2010, Burns' legislation to permit weapons into houses of worship passed the legislature and was signed into law by then Governor [[Bobby Jindal]], a Republican. The measure passed as an amendment to a concealed weapons permit proposal. ''the New Orleans Times-Picayune'' said that Burns' bill "authorized persons who qualified to carry concealed weapons having passed the training and background checks to bring them to churches, mosques, synagogues or other houses of worship as part of a security force. The pastor or head of the religious institution must announce verbally or in weekly newsletters or bulletins that there will be individuals armed on the property as members of he security force. Those chosen have to undergo eight hours of tactical training each year."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/ex-rep-henry-burns-and-his-2010-guns-in-church-law-video/|title=Ex-Rep. Henry Burns and His 2010 'Guns-in-Church' law|date=November 6, 2017|publisher=KEEL (AM)|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref> Burns' legislation received later media emphasis following the tragic church shooting in Sutherland Springs in northern Wilson County, near [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], in which Devin Patrick Kelley]] murdered twenty-six persons and injured others before himself commiting [[suicide]].

 

or head of the religious institution must announce verbally or in weekly newsletters or bulletins that there will be individuals armed on the property as members of he security force. Those chosen have to undergo eight hours of tactical training each year."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/ex-rep-henry-burns-and-his-2010-guns-in-church-law-video/|title=Ex-Rep. Henry Burns and His 2010 'Guns-in-Church' law|date=November 6, 2017|publisher=KEEL (AM)|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref> Burns' legislation received later media emphasis following the tragic church shooting in Sutherland Springs in northern Wilson County, near [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], in which Devin Patrick Kelley]] murdered twenty-six persons and injured others before himself commiting [[suicide]].

Burns's legislative ratings have ranged from 78 to 100 percent from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. In 2012, he was rated 83 percent by the National Federation of Independent Business. In 2013 and 2014, he was rated 90 and 100 percent, respectively, by the [[conservative]] Louisiana Family Forum. Louisiana [[Right to Life]] scored him 100 percent for every year that he has been a legislator. In 2013 and 2014, the Louisiana Association of Educators rated him 42 and 50 percent, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/93647/henry-burns#.VVvhWcstEuQ|title=Henry L. Burns's Ratings and Endorsements|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=May 19, 2015}}</ref>

Burns's legislative ratings have ranged from 78 to 100 percent from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. In 2012, he was rated 83 percent by the National Federation of Independent Business. In 2013 and 2014, he was rated 90 and 100 percent, respectively, by the [[conservative]] Louisiana Family Forum. Louisiana [[Right to Life]] scored him 100 percent for every year that he has been a legislator. In 2013 and 2014, the Louisiana Association of Educators rated him 42 and 50 percent, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/93647/henry-burns#.VVvhWcstEuQ|title=Henry L. Burns's Ratings and Endorsements|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=May 19, 2015}}</ref>