Changes

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 committing [[suicide]].

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 committing [[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=https://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>

In 2014, Burns co-sponsored the requirement that [[abortion]] providers have hospital admitting privileges near their clinics; the bill was approved by the full House, 88-5. In 2014, he voted for the extension of time for implementation of the [[Common Core]] State Standards Initiative. He voted to prohibit the prohibition of the transportation of dogs in the beds of pick-up trucks while traveling on interstate highways; the measure passed the House, 53-34. He voted against the requirement that companies must give notice when they engage in hydraulic [[fracking]]. He voted against the repeal of the anti-sodomy laws. He supported the establishment of surrogacy contracts. He voted against reducing the penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]], but the measure passed the House, 54-38. He voted for lifetime [[concealed carry]] gun permits and co-sponsored the establishment of concealed-carry privileges in restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages. He supported the prohibition against making information about gun permit holders a matter of public record. He voted in 2013 to increase judicial pay, which passed the House, 78-18, and to remove the mandatory retirement age for judges, which was rejected 63-33.<ref name=votingrecords/>

In 2014, Burns co-sponsored the requirement that [[abortion]] providers have hospital admitting privileges near their clinics; the bill was approved by the full House, 88-5. In 2014, he voted for the extension of time for implementation of the [[Common Core]] State Standards Initiative. He voted to prohibit the prohibition of the transportation of dogs in the beds of pick-up trucks while traveling on interstate highways; the measure passed the House, 53-34. He voted against the requirement that companies must give notice when they engage in hydraulic [[fracking]]. He voted against the repeal of the anti-sodomy laws. He supported the establishment of surrogacy contracts. He voted against reducing the penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]], but the measure passed the House, 54-38. He voted for lifetime [[concealed carry]] gun permits and co-sponsored the establishment of concealed-carry privileges in restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages. He supported the prohibition against making information about gun permit holders a matter of public record. He voted in 2013 to increase judicial pay, which passed the House, 78-18, and to remove the mandatory retirement age for judges, which was rejected 63-33.<ref name=votingrecords/>

In 2012, Burns voted to prohibit the use of cell phones while driving; the ban passed the House, 68-29. He did not vote in 2011 regarding restricting the use of other hand-held cellular devices for driving. He supported tax incentives for attracting a National Basketball Association team to Louisiana, which passed the House, 60-41. He backed the establishment of state income tax deductions for individuals who contribute to scholarship funds, which was approved 66-37. He voted to reduce the number of hours that polling locations remain open; Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days. He co-sponsored drug testing of certain welfare recipients; the bill passed the House, 65 to 26. He supported changes in the teacher tenure law. In 2011, he voted for [[parole]] eligibility for elderly inmates; the measure passed the House, 65-25. He opposed the permanent tax on [[cigarette]]s and voted for the establishment of a commission to develop a plan for ending the state income tax. He supported [[redistricting]] plans for the Louisiana State Senate and Louisiana's six seats in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. Burns opposed the anti-[[bullying]] measure for public schools; the disputed bill failed, 43 to 54.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=

In 2012, Burns voted to prohibit the use of cell phones while driving; the ban passed the House, 68-29. He did not vote in 2011 regarding restricting the use of other hand-held cellular devices for driving. He supported tax incentives for attracting a National Basketball Association team to Louisiana, which passed the House, 60-41. He backed the establishment of state income tax deductions for individuals who contribute to scholarship funds, which was approved 66-37. He voted to reduce the number of hours that polling locations remain open; Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days. He co-sponsored drug testing of certain welfare recipients; the bill passed the House, 65 to 26. He supported changes in the teacher tenure law. In 2011, he voted for [[parole]] eligibility for elderly inmates; the measure passed the House, 65-25. He opposed the permanent tax on [[cigarette]]s and voted for the establishment of a commission to develop a plan for ending the state income tax. He supported [[redistricting]] plans for the Louisiana State Senate and Louisiana's six seats in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. Burns opposed the anti-[[bullying]] measure for public schools; the disputed bill failed, 43 to 54.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=

http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/93647/henry-burns#.VVvh88stEuQ|title=Henry L. Burns's Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>

https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/93647/henry-burns#.VVvh88stEuQ|title=Henry L. Burns's Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>

In the state Senate primary, Burns led a three-candidate field with 10,202 votes (40.3 percent). Ryan Gatti trailed with 8,649 votes (34.2 percent). The Demcorat Todd Hollenshead polled the critical 6,465 votes (25.5 percent).<ref name=octoberreturns/> In the November 21 runoff election, Burns was defeated by 326 votes, 13,698 (49l.4 percent) to Ryan Gatti's 14,023 votes (50.6 percent) to 13,698 (49.4 percent). Burns trailed in his native Webster Parish by 557 votes, 231 votesmore than that of his overall loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11212015/11212015_Legislative.html|title=Election Returns|date=November 21, 2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref>

In the state Senate primary, Burns led a three-candidate field with 10,202 votes (40.3 percent). Ryan Gatti trailed with 8,649 votes (34.2 percent). The Demcorat Todd Hollenshead polled the critical 6,465 votes (25.5 percent).<ref name=octoberreturns/> In the November 21 runoff election, Burns was defeated by 326 votes, 13,698 (49l.4 percent) to Ryan Gatti's 14,023 votes (50.6 percent) to 13,698 (49.4 percent). Burns trailed in his native Webster Parish by 557 votes, 231 votesmore than that of his overall loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11212015/11212015_Legislative.html|title=Election Returns|date=November 21, 2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref>