Constitutional Carry
S.105 is a reintroduction of last session’s S.115. The bill if passed would turn South Carolina into the 7th state to enact constitutional carry. As we summarized last year; if enacted, anyone over 21 who is legally allowed to own a handgun in the state would be able to carry that handgun in public either openly (in plain sight) or concealed, without the requirement of a concealed weapons permit. Citizens that still want to obtain a CWP in order to carry in other states that have reciprocity with South Carolina can do so. The bill would still allow private employers, owners, or persons to restrict weapons on their premises if they have legally posted a sign stating the prohibition (such as “No Weapons Allowed”). Also, the bill would still prohibit someone from carrying a weapon into the residence or dwelling place of another person without the permission of the owner.
This bill would help to restore the promise of the 2nd amendment in South Carolina. Keeping and bearing arms are rights, not privileges and they should not be prohibited outright or made conditional by requiring permits or fees. There is little evidence that gun control measures help to reduce violent crime and as such there should be a presumption of liberty when it comes to the right to own and carry a firearm.