Concealed Gun Bill Advances At SC Statehouse
By Associated Press
Published: February 24, 2011
Updated: February 24, 2011 - 12:16 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. --
South Carolina citizens could carry a concealed weapon without a permit under legislation advanced by a House panel.
The measure approved unanimously Thursday by a House Judiciary subcommittee applies to any South Carolina resident at least 21-years-old who can legally own a gun.
The bill advances to the full Judiciary Committee.
Supporters say law-abiding citizens should be able to protect themselves from criminals who don't respect gun laws.
State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd says he has no problem with the proposal. He says women especially need to be able to protect themselves.
Gun rights activist Robert Butler called it a step in the right direction.
SC panel approves bill expanding gun rights
By SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press
Posted: Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
COLUMBIA, S.C. Gun-rights activists applauded a vote Thursday that would allow South Carolina citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
The measure, which applies to any resident at least 21 years old who can legally own a gun, has bipartisan support in this gun-friendly state. A House panel voted unanimously to advance the amended bill to the full Judiciary Committee.
"You can't prevent a criminal from having a gun," said Byron Chafin of rural Batesburg, who has a concealed carry permit. "A law-abiding citizen should have the right to protect themselves anywhere they go."
South Carolina's top law enforcement officer said allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed guns makes people feel safer and could deter an attack, and he has no problem with it.
"You've got to have a way to defend yourself," said State Law Enforcement Division chief Reggie Lloyd, a former judge and U.S. attorney, noting his strong belief that women especially need to arm themselves against attacks.
Other law enforcement officers say they're concerned about allowing people to carry concealed guns without training.
"It's not that we're anti-gun-freedom," said Jarrod Bruder, executive director of the state Law Enforcement Officers Association. "We understand Second Amendment rights, but we want people to know how to use it."
As of Tuesday, 130,541 people in South Carolina hold permits to carry concealed weapons, according to SLED. The permitting process requires at least eight hours of training, which includes hitting 70 percent of targets with a handgun on a course that ranges from 3 to 25 yards, and education on gun safety and laws.
Opponents of the bill say that education piece is especially important.
Without it, people may assume they can carry a gun anywhere and could get in legal trouble, said Jeff Moore, executive director of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association. He doubts people would read state gun laws on their own, which specify, for example, that guns are prohibited from school sporting events, bars, and government meetings, and businesses can ban them.
Moore noted the proposal would make it harder for a South Carolinian born after 1979 to hunt than to carry a concealed weapon on the street. Hunting requires an education course and permit.
"It doesn't make sense," he said.
The main sponsor, Rep. Mike Pitts, said he understands the concerns, but it's about honoring residents' constitutional right to bear arms. While people should undergo training and would be safer if they do, the Constitution doesn't require it, he said.
"The bottom line is, we're not talking about a privilege granted by the state," said Pitts, R-Laurens, a retired law enforcement officer known for advocating gun-rights legislation. "Either you believe in the Constitution or you don't."
Nationwide, only three states allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit: Alaska, Arizona and Vermont. Two states - Illinois and Wisconsin - forbid concealed carry, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Rifle Association.
South Carolina is among more than three dozen states that allow a concealed permit process without many restrictions for residents who meet the legal criteria, while other states have strict limits for who can get a permit.
Robert Butler of South Carolina's GrassRoots GunRights called the House measure a positive step that didn't go as far as the group wanted.
Members, for example, wanted to drop the age to carry from 21 to 18, saying if they're old enough to die for their country, they're old enough to carry a gun off the battlefield.
But Carlton O'Neal, a Benedict College political science major, disagreed, saying many 18-year-olds aren't mature enough.
"It should definitely stay at 21," said O'Neal, originally from Rochester, N.Y., who got his concealed weapon permit soon after turning 21 last August. "When you're 18, you do more wild things."
Theodore Hill, another Benedict student at the meeting, said he believes the bill could make the streets safer. The Bloomfield, N.J., native and criminal justice major said criminals may be less likely to rob or attack someone if they're unsure whether their potential victim is packing.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/0 ... z1Ev8Phf8G
That was my reaction as well. I think that it is a great step but, like Treedodger, I hope the other sections were kept as well.Treedodger said:The article only mentioned the permit aspect of it I noticed. There was no mention of other parts relaxing the restrictions on where you can't carry though. Hopefully, the updates on carrying in restaurants serving alcohol, residences, hospitals, etc were kept.
I suspect that like Arizona you would still be able to get a permit, you just wouldn't be required to.jjwestbrook said:ya know this might not be as great as it sounds . if they drop the requirements for training and permits other states might not reciprocate with SC anymore.
I hope so , dont get me wrong i like the idea i just dont want to lose any other rights . like the ability to carry in other states.Dirk Pitt said:I suspect that like Arizona you would still be able to get a permit, you just wouldn't be required to.jjwestbrook said:ya know this might not be as great as it sounds . if they drop the requirements for training and permits other states might not reciprocate with SC anymore.
Bdbys59 said:The training aspect of it, you have to remember, is aimed at those with ABSOLUTELY NO WEAPONS training. Those of us who know which end of the pistol the bullet exits, well, we don't need as much, just the legal issues. I have gotten my guys exempt from all but the written test and that takes about an hour. of course they do have 4 hours of dry fire/reload drills and 4 hours of range time! :lol:
They are reading this section and claiming that non residents can't have a firearm in their vehicle. To me it means carrying on their person. I know Rep Pitts and others have said that's not the case. This is another item that the wording will be changed.Treedodger said:From reading GrassRoots post their main beef with it is the section regarding out of state gun owners not being able to have a handgun in their glove box or console while traveling in SC unless they have a permit from state with reciprocity, among others. The bill is better than what we have though and the draft I read said that you could carry in "any" business selling alcohol for consumption on the premises as long as it was not posted no concealed carry and you did not drink. That's a huge benefit in my book.
Granted it is not perfect, but it is an improvement.
Below is link to GrassRoots post.
http://www.scfirearms.org/Legislative/H ... ndment.pdf
As far as keeping a firearm in the glove compartment, console or trunk that requirement was removed in the original bill and did not change in the Viers amendment. All the mundane requirements were removed and replaced with this which also confirms that non residents only restriction is carrying a handgun on their person. This is how the section will look without all the struck out lines.Non South Carolina residents and non United States citizens
may not carry a handgun unless the person has a South Carolina
concealed weapons permit, satisfies section 23-31-215(N), or is a
peace officer in the actual discharge of his duties.
?Section 16-23-20.
It is unlawful for anyone to carry about the person any handgun, whether concealed or not with the intent to use the handgun in furtherance of a crime. The intent to use a handgun in furtherance of crime shall not be inferred by the mere possession, carrying, or concealment of the handgun. Display of a handgun during the commission of a violent crime is subject to additional penalty under section 16-23-490. Non South Carolina residents and non United States citizens may not carry a handgun unless the person has a South Carolina concealed weapons permit, satisfies section 23-31-215(N), or is a peace officer in the actual discharge of his duties. No person may carry a handgun if under the age of twenty-one or otherwise prohibited to possess a handgun under state or federal law.