H.3217 would require any firearm dealer or owner to immediately report the loss or theft of a firearm to a law enforcement agency. How this law would be enforced is unclear. If law enforcement finds a lost or stolen gun, it would be very difficult to prove that the original owner willfully failed to report the loss of the weapon and wasn’t simply unaware of the loss. It would also be difficult to trace back any lost or stolen gun to an individual absent a mandatory statewide gun registry – an initiative that failed when tried in Canada.
By South Carolina Policy Council
Since 1986 the South Carolina Policy Council Education Foundation has advocated innovative policy ideas that advance the principles of limited government and free enterprise. The Policy Council is the state’s meeting place for business leaders, policymakers, and academics – as well as engaged citizens – who want to see South Carolina become the most free state in the nation. For questions or comments on the articles on this website, please email Research Director Jamie Murguia.