By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
By a lopsided vote of 90-30, the South Carolina House of Representatives has passed legislation to allow so-called “constitutional carry” of firearms either openly or concealed without a permit.
According to the Charleston Post & Courier, the bill was passed “mostly” along party lines, with four Democrats crossing the aisle to support the measure. No Republican voted against it. Two Republicans and one Democrat did not vote.
Arguing against the bill was Rep. J.A. Moore (D-North Charleston), whose sister was a victim in the Emanuel AME Church mass shooting in June 2015. ABC News reported that Moore made an emotional argument, declaring, “My sister was murdered by a legal gun that a white supremacist terrorist should not have had. So shame on y’all for playing politics with people’s lives.”
Nine people were murdered in that shooting. The killer was motivated by racism and hate, according to various accounts.
Under provisions of House Bill 3594, carrying firearms in certain areas will still be prohibited. Those restricted areas include courthouses, government offices, detention centers, polling places, schools and school athletic events, doctors’ offices and religious sanctuaries, plus other places. There are exemptions to these restrictions for members of the on-duty law enforcement, members of the armed forces, National Guard, state militias and members of the judiciary, public defenders and county clerks of the courts, according to the ABC News report.
The recorded vote may be read here.
Republican supporters of the measure contend law-abiding citizens should not be required to get a government permit to exercise a constitutionally-protected fundamental right to bear arms. Democrats opposed to the legislation reportedly argued the bill, if passed, will lead to more accidents and homicides. The same arguments have been made against every concealed carry bill introduce anywhere in the country.
The bill now goes to the State Senate, and if it passes and is signed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, the Palmetto State will become Number 26 to adopt constitutional carry. Florida is now considering permitless concealed carry legislation, which is not quite the same as full constitutional carry. If Florida passes permitless carry, it will result in a majority of states having done away with the requirement to have a permit or license to carry a sidearm for personal protection, although licenses will remain available for citizens taking advantage of state reciprocity agreements which recognize the permits/licenses from other states.
One significant tenet is that H3594, “would effectively lower the age at which South Carolinians can carry a concealed gun,” ABC News said. State law currently allows anyone over age 18 to buy a firearm, but concealed carry permits have only been issued to people over age 21.
