The Palmetto State just joined more than two dozen other pro-Second Amendment states and became a Constitutional Carry state, meaning that no permit is needed to carry a firearm in public. South Carolina passed its Constitutional Carry law right after Louisiana, making it the second red state in as many days to pass such a law when South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed it into law on March 7.
The bill, backed by pro-Second Amendment groups like the National Rifle Association, allows eligible citizens who are 18 or older to carry firearms in public without a permit. To be eligible, the person must meet the usual requirements for being able to own a firearm, such as not being a felon or drug user, and things like drinking alcohol while carrying are not allowed.
Commenting on the legislation, which passed 86-33, and what it represents, Gov. McMaster said, “This new law will provide strict increased penalties for illegal gun use and possession by criminals. Now, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges can keep career violent criminals behind bars where they belong, where they can no longer hurt innocent South Carolinians.”
Similarly, in a tweet about the bill, Gov. McMaster wrote, “With my signature, South Carolina is now the 29th state in the country with constitutional carry. 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.”
Also joining in the celebration and explanation was Rep. Bobby J. Cox, one of the primary sponsors of the constitutional carry bill. Speaking to Fox News about it, he said, “Gov. McMaster and my colleagues across both chambers of the Legislature have sent a resounding message: South Carolinians should never require government permission to defend themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Continuing, Rep. Cox argued that the bill is in the Constitutional tradition and helps protect the right to self-defense, saying, “Our God-given right to self-defense, as enshrined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, is unequivocally affirmed, just as our founding fathers intended. Thank you to my fellow NRA members, gun owners, and patriots throughout South Carolina who have tirelessly worked to make this day a reality.”
Further, the NRA interim Executive Vice President and CEO, Andrew Arulanandam, argued that such success come thanks to the tireless efforts of NRA members, saying, “Thanks to the unwavering support of our members, in about 48 hours, the NRA has secured Constitutional Carry victories in two states, Louisiana and South Carolina, bringing the total to 29 states that have enacted this critical legislation — 13 since Joe Biden took office.”
Continuing, he added that the NRA will continue fighting for gun rights across the country, saying, “The NRA is here to stay, relentlessly fighting across this entire nation. Make no mistake, doubting the NRA and our members is a sure path to defeat, as history has consistently shown that challenging the NRA’s resolve results in a loss every time.”
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