Seems N.O. police returned a few guns, but the majority remain lost in the bureaucracy. The 2nd Amendment rights of the people was suspended or ignored. (by who or what) Was it legal, another good question. What ever happened it was hushed and most likely will happen again. That is why there is no one pressing for immediate surrender of firearms at this moment. I do not believe for one moment the following quote.
Police Superintendent Warren Riley said police had legitimate reasons for confiscating weapons.
"We took guns that were stolen that were stashed in alleyways. If we went into an abandoned house and a gun was there, absolutely we took the weapons," he said. "Obviously there were looters out there. We didn't want some burglar or looter to have an opportunity to arm themselves.""