President Signs Post-Katrina Protection Law Infamous Hurricane Katrina wrought, along with the destruction of lives and property, the restriction of personal liberties in the form of firearms confiscation by local officials in New Orleans. President Bush has signed into law the “Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act,” which prohibits the confiscation of legal firearms from law-abiding citizens during states of emergency. The legislation, part of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, had received broad bi-partisan support in both houses of Congress.