Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Senate recently engaged in a spirited debate over proposed gun legislation, known as the Constitutional Carry Bill. This contentious bill, if passed, would allow individuals 18 and older to carry guns in public without a specific government permit, whether concealed or not.
Supporters of the bill, like Senator Shane Martin, argue that it is a fundamental constitutional right to carry weapons without requiring government permission. Martin emphasized the bill’s alignment with the Second Amendment, asserting that law-abiding citizens should not be hindered by additional permit requirements to exercise their rights.
However, the bill faces staunch opposition. Critics, including Senator Mia McLeod, express concerns about community safety, fearing that easier access to guns might lead to increased violence. Senator Dick Harpootlian, in particular, strongly opposed the bill, highlighting the traumatic and violent implications of gun usage in criminal activities.