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The dominos just keep falling, one after another. Only a few days after Louisiana’s state legislature approved permitless carry, South Carolina’s leaders approved a similar law, but it only applies to open carry.
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South Carolina’s state senators approved the so-called constitutional carry law on Wednesday, March 6, with a 28-18 majority. Earlier, the state’s legislature had approved the bill with an 86-33 majority, after back-and-forth on the bill’s wording between the senate and legislature. Now, just like Louisiana’s permitless concealed carry bill, the only step left is the governor’s stamp of approval. And just like in Louisiana, South Carolina’s governor is expected to sign off on the new law.
On social media, Governor Henry McMaster seemed to indicate his approval of the law after it passed:
My statement on the South Carolina House and Senate’s passage of H. 3594, Constitutional Carry, which includes increased penalties for repeat illegal gun use and possession: pic.twitter.com/Dfrpk9qQfM
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) March 6, 2024
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Note the words about penalties and illegality. South Carolina’s leadership had been debating a permitless carry law, allowing state residents to open-carry handguns with no permit, for a while. The bill that passed had tough-talking points tacked on, with penalties for people who carry in drinking establishments. There are also new penalties for people who are carrying while committing crimes, and as Governor McMaster’s social media post says above, the bill also targets repeat criminal offenders, cracking down on felons who continue to carry firearms after they’re banned.
Under the law, South Carolina residents aged 18 and older can open-carry with no permit, license or training—but the bill also requires authorities to set up monthly training sessions county-by-county, encouraging residents to acquire the skills needed to use their firearms. These sessions will be free, and run by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
South Carolina will also make sure residents have access to free firearms training as part of the new bill. [RIA]
If signed into law, South Carolina will be the 29th state to legalize some form of permitless firearm carry. However, the law may actually come into effect before Louisiana’s recent law, which would come into effect on July 4.
