Jonah Patel
On March 7, 2024, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, also known as the 'Constitutional Carry' bill, into law. The bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun in South Carolina to openly carry it without a permit or prior training. South Carolina is now the 29th state in the US to pass such a law. The bill has been divisive, with support from Second Amendment advocates but opposition from gun safety advocates, law enforcement, and Democrats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Second Amendment Preservation Act |
| Other names | Constitutional carry, permitless carry |
| Passed in | South Carolina |
| Signed by | Governor Henry McMaster |
| Passed in the Senate with | 28-18 votes |
| Passed in the House with | 86-33 votes |
| Number of states with such a law | 29 |
| Gun ban locations | Schools, hospitals, courthouses, police stations, active courtrooms, private properties, businesses |
| Age limit | Lowered from 21 to 18 |
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What You'll Learn
- South Carolina becomes the 29th state to pass the 'constitutional carry' gun law
- Gov. Henry McMaster signs the Second Amendment Preservation Act
- The bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun to carry it openly without a permit
- The bill includes stricter penalties for people who carry guns into places they are not allowed to
- The bill has faced opposition from Democrats, law enforcement, and gun safety advocates
South Carolina becomes the 29th state to pass the 'constitutional carry' gun law
South Carolina has become the 29th US state to pass a "constitutional carry" gun law, also known as a "permitless carry" law. The bill, signed by Governor Henry McMaster, allows anyone who can legally own a gun in the state to carry it openly in public without a permit or prior training.
The law, known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act, was passed by the state's House and Senate, despite concerns from Democrats and law enforcement officers. The bill's sponsors and supporters cite the expansion of Second Amendment rights and the addressing of real gun crime as reasons for its passing. The new law also enacts tougher penalties for people who carry guns in prohibited places, such as schools and courthouses, and for those who commit crimes with a concealed weapon.
However, the law has been met with opposition from gun safety advocates, who argue that it will make South Carolina more dangerous and increase gun deaths in the state. They also highlight the importance of gun safety training, which is no longer a requirement for carrying a firearm in public. This concern is echoed by some law enforcement officers, who believe that the lack of training could lead to unsafe situations for both citizens and police officers.
Despite these concerns, the law has been enacted, and South Carolina joins 28 other states in allowing constitutional carry. The impact of this decision remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked debate over the balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety.
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Gov. Henry McMaster signs the Second Amendment Preservation Act
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, also known as the "Constitutional Carry" or "permitless carry" bill, into law. The Act allows anyone who can legally own a gun in South Carolina to carry it openly without a permit or prior training. This makes South Carolina the 29th state in the country with such a law.
The bill was passed by the state House and Senate, despite concerns from Democrats and law enforcement. It was approved by the House in an 86-33 vote and by the Senate in a 28-18 vote. The bill's sponsors and supporters argued that it expands Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens and will help keep violent criminals in prison by increasing penalties for illegal gun use and possession. Gov. McMaster also emphasized that the law will close the "revolving door" for violent criminals, giving law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges more power to keep them off the streets.
However, gun safety advocates have criticized the bill, claiming that it will make South Carolina more dangerous and increase gun deaths in the state. South Carolina already has the sixth-highest rate of gun injury and death in the country. In addition, opponents of the bill, such as state Rep. Seth Rose, have expressed concern about the motives behind the bill's passage during an election year.
The Second Amendment Preservation Act, or "Constitutional Carry," includes some exceptions to where guns can be carried. Firearms are still banned in schools, hospitals, police stations, courthouses, and certain other places. Business and property owners can also restrict people from bringing firearms onto their property. The Act also enacts tougher penalties for people who are caught carrying without a permit in prohibited places.
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The bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun to carry it openly without a permit
On March 7, 2024, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, also known as the "'Constitutional Carry' or "permitless carry" bill, into law. The bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun to carry it openly without a permit or prior training. South Carolina is now the 29th state in the country with such a law.
The bill, which passed the state's House in an 86-33 vote and the Senate in a 28-18 vote, has been divisive. It has received pushback from most Democrats, and some law enforcement officers and gun safety advocates. Gun safety advocates argue that South Carolina already has the sixth-highest rate of gun injury and death in the country, and that this rate will only increase with the new law. They also argue that the law will make law enforcement's job more difficult.
Supporters of the bill, including its sponsor Rep. Brandon Cox, argue that it expands Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens and will not make the state less safe. Cox pointed out that 20 other states have adopted similar laws without any trouble. Additionally, the bill enhances penalties for gun crimes and illegal gun possession or use.
Despite the new law, there are still many places where firearms are banned in South Carolina, including schools, hospitals, courthouses, and police stations. Additionally, business and property owners can restrict people from bringing firearms onto their property.
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The bill includes stricter penalties for people who carry guns into places they are not allowed to
South Carolina's Second Amendment Preservation Act, also known as the 'Constitutional Carry' or 'permitless carry' bill, was signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster in March 2024. This bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun in South Carolina to openly carry it in public without a permit or prior training. However, the bill also includes stricter penalties for those who carry guns into places where they are prohibited from doing so.
While the new law makes it legal to carry a gun in public without a permit, there are still many places where firearms are banned. These include schools, colleges, and universities, as well as any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by these educational institutions. Hospitals, medical clinics, and doctors' offices are also off-limits for firearms, unless expressly authorized by the employer. Firearms are prohibited on the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol and within the capitol building, although they may be kept in locked vehicles in the parking garage. Firearms are also not allowed in police stations or active courtrooms.
In addition, private businesses and property owners have the right to prohibit individuals from carrying firearms onto their premises or into the workplace. This includes bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, where bringing a gun without a valid Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) is a violation of the law. If a business operator, property owner, or leaseholder posts a 'No Concealable Weapons Allowed' sign, individuals must comply and either leave the premises or remove their firearms. Failure to do so is considered a violation of the law and can result in penalties.
The 'Constitutional Carry' bill has been a divisive issue in South Carolina, with some celebrating the expansion of Second Amendment rights and others expressing concern over the potential impact on public safety. While supporters argue that the bill promotes freedom and self-protection for law-abiding citizens, opponents worry that it will lead to an increase in gun violence and make law enforcement's job more challenging.
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The bill has faced opposition from Democrats, law enforcement, and gun safety advocates
South Carolina's "constitutional carry" law, also known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act, was signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster in March 2024. The law allows anyone who can legally own a gun to carry it openly without a permit or prior training. While the bill's passage has been celebrated by some as an expansion of Second Amendment rights, it has also faced significant opposition from Democrats, law enforcement, and gun safety advocates.
Democrats in the state legislature largely opposed the bill, with Senator Margie Bright Matthews questioning the need for permitless carry and suggesting that the bill was passed primarily due to election-year politics. Despite these concerns, the bill passed with a largely partisan vote, reflecting the divided nature of gun control issues in the state and country.
Law enforcement professionals have also expressed reservations about the bill. While some supporters of the bill, like Representative Brandon Cox, argue that similar laws have been implemented without issue in other states, law enforcement officers worry about the potential impact on public safety and their ability to effectively police gun-related crimes. The bill also includes provisions that may complicate law enforcement's efforts to regulate and respond to gun-related incidents. For example, it is no longer a requirement to inform law enforcement officers that one is carrying a firearm, and a visible firearm is not considered probable cause for an officer to stop and question someone.
Gun safety advocates, such as the organization Moms Demand Action, have warned that the bill will lead to an increase in gun deaths and injuries in South Carolina, which already has one of the highest rates of gun-related deaths and injuries in the country. They argue that the bill will make it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain and carry firearms, and that the focus should be on reducing gun violence rather than expanding gun rights.
Despite the opposition, the bill was passed by both chambers of the state legislature and signed into law by Governor McMaster, making South Carolina the 29th state to enact such legislation. The law's supporters argue that it protects the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and that enhanced penalties for illegal gun use and possession will help address gun crime. However, the law's opponents remain concerned about its potential impact on public safety and continue to advocate for stricter gun control measures.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, South Carolina passed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, also known as the 'Constitutional Carry' bill, into law in March 2024.
The bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun in South Carolina to openly carry it without a permit or prior training.
Firearms are banned in schools, hospitals, police stations, courthouses, and other designated areas. Business and property owners can also restrict people from carrying firearms on their property.
The law imposes tougher penalties for people who do not have a permit and are caught carrying firearms in prohibited places.
The bill expands Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens and enhances penalties for illegal gun use. However, gun safety advocates argue that it may lead to an increase in gun-related injuries and deaths in the state.
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