COLUMBIA, S.C. — Police chiefs and parents across the state testified in front of lawmakers Wednesday with concerns over a bill that would allow those 18 and older to openly carry firearms without training.
"If you care about your friends and your family, then do not make it easier for people to carry weapons in public," said Patty Tuttle with Moms Demand Action.
The House passed its version of the so-called Constitutional Carry Law in February, but the fate of the law falls on the Senate, where lawmakers rejected a similar proposal two years ago.
"We support the rights and freedoms of everyone but the safety of our communities needs to be at the forefront," said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock.
The National Rifle Association testified in favor of the bill, saying it protects law-abiding citizens.
“We certainly have not seen a shift in the number of people carrying and have not seen a shift in other states of the number of people carrying or impact on violent crime," said D.J Spiker.
If signed into law, South Carolina would join 25 other states with permitless carry.
The South Carolina Sheriff's Association, who have opposed the law in the past, said they support it, as long as it cracks down on repeat offenders charged with misdemeanor gun possessions.
"We will have no way of knowing if they are lawful or unlawful. In fact, we’ll have to assume they are lawful even though they might not be," said Director Jarod Bruder.
The measure would effectively lower the age at which South Carolinians can carry a concealed gun. State law allows anyone 18 or older to purchase a gun. But concealed weapons permits have only been available to people over 21 years old.
“Research shows that 18-20-year-olds commit gun homicides at a rate nearly three times higher than adults aged 21 and older," said Tuttle.
The measure would restrict people from bringing guns into detention centers, courthouses, polling places, government offices, school athletic events, schools, religious sanctuaries and doctor's offices, among other locations.
The Panel carried over a proposal that would allow people to register themselves on a do-not-sell list.
In 2020, 54 percent of gun deaths were suicides, according to the CDC.
Under the bill, those 18 and older could apply to the list, which would be handled by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
People could fill out an online form and submit it in person with a photo ID at any law enforcement agency in the state.
It would be illegal for a gun shop owner to sell a person on the list a firearm.
A person could take themselves off the list, after a two-week waiting period.
The legislation is nationally known as Donna’s Law – named after a New Orleans woman who died by suicide with a firearm.
Utah, Virginia, and Washington have passed similar legislation with bipartisan support.
Two years ago, the legislature passed a law allowing open carry of concealed weapons.