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After a fierce battle between hardline gun rights activists and political pragmatists over the passage of a law legalizing the permit-less carry of handguns in South Carolina, a legislative conference committee produced a “constitutional carry” bill amenable to both chambers – one which was promptly signed into law by governor Henry McMaster.
“This bill expands the Second Amendment rights of our law-abiding citizens and will keep violent criminals behind bars with increased penalties for illegal gun use and possession,” McMaster wrote on X.
The new law – H. 3594 – allows adults eligible to possess a firearm to carry their weapon without first obtaining a concealed weapons permit (CWP). Prior to passage, those who wished to carry had to take a CWP class and demonstrate their proficiency on a firing range in order to earn a permit.
The state’s CWP program won’t cease to exist, as under the new statute CWP holders will face lighter sentences if convicted of a crime using a gun – and will still be able to enjoy reciprocity with other states that accept South Carolina CWP’s.
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While opponents of the legislation repeatedly cited law enforcement officials’ opposition to the easing of gun restrictions, many police leaders and prosecutors were thrilled the bill added mandatory minimum sentences to South Carolina’s felon in possession of firearm statutes.
S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson said the bill not only “protect(s) the Second Amendment, it helps law enforcement and prosecutors crack down on criminals possessing firearms illegally.” Wilson said “law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be penalized for the behavior of bad guys.”
South Carolinians interested in carrying a weapon, but unfamiliar with the state’s firearm statutes, should exercise caution. Carrying is prohibited in a number of locations such as schools and university, hospitals (without permission) and businesses which post “No Concealable Weapons Allowed” signs.
Also, one’s legal and ethical obligations when carrying are numerous – and the consequences for mistakes are dire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(Via: Travis Bell)
Dylan Nolan is the director of special projects at FITSNews. He graduated from the Darla Moore school of business in 2021 with an accounting degree. Got a tip or story idea for Dylan? Email him here. You can also engage him socially @DNolan2000.
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7 comments
This should have been done many decades ago! It is long past due but I am glad it is finally here. I have my permit and other creds that I carry off of, but I am happy for the citizenry of South Carolina, and especially 18-20 year olds, who have had their rights partially restored by this law!
It’s about time that “We The People…” got some of our rights back which were illegally stolen by the government. Now we need to keep an eye on the government as they will try to take this Constitutional right away from us again, along with others.
It is hilarious watching the inept local MSM botch this story. WACH and WIS both keep referring to this law as “open carry” or as “allowing citizens to openly carry” a firearm. It is more accurately known as “permitless carry” or by some as “Constitutional Carry”, which allows for open or concealed carry without a permit. The permit system has also been improved in that 18 to 20 year old adults can now obtain them, as they have been able to do in some states for years. While not technically “Constitutional” due to infringements still being held in place by statute, it is a big step in the right direction.
Roly Poly Judi Gatson at WIS has been openly siding with Mom’s Demand Action (if you saw them you’d know why they aren’t getting any) and affiliated hand-wringers. It is sad to see this once vibrant reporter descend into journalistic obscurity as her weight piles on, while struggling for some semblance of relevancy.
Dylan Nolan, thank you for your accurate and thoughtful coverage of this story. Other local media outlets could learn from you.
“ACH and WIS both keep referring to this law as “open carry” or as “allowing citizens to openly carry” a firearm.”
“which allows for open … carry without a permit”
lol
What you seem to similarly misunderstand, is that the law does not just allow open carry. It provides for open and concealed carry.
I’m not misunderstanding anything. You are mad that they are reporting something that is factually true about the bill.
No. I am mad that they are only reporting part of the story. Yeah, it is true, but they are misleading in reporting only part of it. Assuming you have both feet, it would be like me writing a story about you having bought a new pair of shoes. In stories by myself and others, we report that you bought the new shoes so that you can wear a shoe on your left foot. We never mention that you wear both shoes or that one is also worn on your right foot; just that you can now wear a shoe on your left foot. It sounds kinda dumb to people who read it and know you have both feet. To others, they wonder if you are an amputee or suffered some kind of defect at birth. This is what half-assed reporting does.