Constitutional Carry is Still Alive in South Carolina
Jose Nino
|
The 2023 South Carolina legislative session recently adjourned without a sine-die resolution and has no ostensive plans of resuming a legislative session later this year. Curiously, both Constitutional Carry bills S. 109 and H. 3594, are still alive and will remain on the Senate floor when the state legislature reconvenes in January 2024.
H.3594 was able to receive bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, in addition to support from Governor McMaster. In the Senate, S. 109 was modified to adopt pro-gun lobby’s preferred language, which resulted in two legislative opportunities to advance in January. There is a strong possibility that Constitutional Carry will be among the first bills taken up when the legislative session reconvenes in January 2024.Â
Constitutional Carry legislation acknowledges the fundamental right of lawful citizens to exercise their gun rights without burdensome restrictions. The bill’s passage would have South Carolina accompany 27 other states, which allows lawful individuals to carry firearms without having to beg the government for permission.
Not all red states are on the same page when it comes to gun rights. South Carolina has lagged most other red states on carry rights for some time. It is currently ranked in 23rd place according to Guns & Ammo magazine’s best states for gun owners rankings. So South Carolina still has work to do on gun rights.
Hopefully, South Carolina’s state government gets things right in 2024. Such a red state should not continue to lag behind other red states when it comes to gun rights.
Share: