COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Senate began debate on a bill that would allow gun owners to carry their weapons, concealed or not, without a permit.
“If you want to carry a weapon and exercise your constitutional rights to do so you don’t have to get permission from the government but you do have to carry it openly for people to see if you choose that method,” Sen. Shane Martin of Spartanburg and a supporter of the bill, said.
The Constitutional Carry Bill would allow anyone 18 and older, who is a law abiding gun owner, to carry that gun in public without a specific government permit.
Opponents of the bill believe this would increase violence in the community, saying guns might fall into the wrong hands.
“I don’t think there are any of us in here who don’t want to protect our second amendment rights but we also want to do our due diligence to keep our constituents and communities safe,” said Sen. Mia McLeod.
Under the bill, there are exceptions where guns won’t be allowed.
Those include daycares, churches, doctors offices and courtrooms.
Potential gun owners would still have to clear a background check before getting a gun.
“I think this fear that’s always up in this debate, the facts don’t back it up. I’ve changed my position, I’ve come to believe this is just not the big problem. it’s not going to be a big solution and it’s not going to be a big problem. I don’t believe it’s going to be either way. I think the best part of the bill is the enhanced penalties that might actually make out state a little bit safer,” Sen. Greg Hembree of Horry county said.
The Senate has not reached a decision on this so far and will continue the debate on Thursday.