What is the future of gun legislation in South Carolina?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Because of a new law that’s been in place for just over a week, adults 18 and older in South Carolina can now carry loaded handguns with no previous training or a permit.
So is there anything more that conservative lawmakers want to do expand gun access – or is this the pinnacle of this effort?
South Carolina is now the 29th state to enact what’s known as permitless carry, or constitutional carry.
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Although he’d already signed the law, Gov. Henry McMaster held a ceremonial g at the State House for the new gun law – surrounded by the ers who got this legislation to the finish line – after years of trying.
The law allows adults 18 and older in South Carolina who are legally allowed to possess guns – to carry them, with no permit or training – with the same restrictions on where they can and cannot carry as before, still in place.
“I think this is a step where government’s getting out of the way, and that’s what I want to continue to do,” said Sen. Shane Martin, R-Spartanburg.
Martin – a chief advocate for this push in the Senate – calls this new law a good start – but doesn’t believe this gun conversation is over in South Carolina.
“I believe that our constitution grants us those rights. I believe anything the government has done has pretty much infringed on those over the years, so I believe that there’s probably more to be done to basically not have our rights taken from us.”
But Martin doesn’t expect that would happen this year – a feeling shared by House Republican Leader Davey Hiott.
“You never say never, because like the governor said, things are always evolving. I would guess somewhere down the line, we may have another discussion about that. But I don’t think you’ll see anything else this year,” Hiott said.
The new law includes graduated penalties – for people who are repeatedly caught illegally carrying guns – like people with stolen guns.
That had been a top request from law enforcement and the governor – and helped get enough within the legislature to get this bill to the finish line.
A new bill has already been filed in the Senate – to essentially clear up some parts of the week-old law.
“This is something that I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to try to address this year,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield.
It would set time limits on when escalating penalties on certain repeat gun offenses can be handed down – and would make clear that students who are 18 cannot bring guns onto school campuses, even if locked in their car – among other provisions.
“By lowering the age to 18, you potentially allow some older high school seniors to be able to carry weapons, keep them in the parking lot, as well,” Massey said. “There were schools that were understandably concerned about that. I don’t think that was anybody’s intent was to allow students to carry weapons onto campus, so we want to try to address that,.”
We are likely to still see more legislation filed to impose tighter gun restrictions from gun safety advocates.
But at this point – there’s not enough in the General Assembly to enact those types of measures.
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