The South Carolina House has moved forward with a Constitutional Carry bill, which has now been sent back to the state Senate. This progress could potentially lead to another confrontation on the issue.
The South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2023, also known as H.3594, faced a setback as the state House rejected the Senate-amended version. A letter from the leader of a pro-gun rights organization expressed concerns that the amendments introduced by the Senate would infringe upon the Second Amendment.
On Tuesday, the clean version was passed by the House.
The South Carolina House GOP Caucus expressed their commitment to promoting public safety through legislation that specifically addresses the issue of illegal firearm possession among felons. They emphasized the importance of treating all individuals equally under the law and emphasized their dedication to both upholding the rights and responsibilities associated with gun ownership in a post on the social media platform X.
“We are taking action in direct response to the requests of our constituents, demonstrating our commitment to responsive governance and the democratic process,” stated the caucus. “As we continue on this path, we call on the Senate to join us in passing legislation that not only preserves the freedoms of our citizens but also strengthens the security of our communities.”
The new measure in South Carolina makes it against the law for individuals who have been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment to possess firearms or ammunition. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Those who have had their conviction expunged, set aside, or pardoned and have had their civil rights restored are exempt from this prohibition.
According to Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, the failure of the bill “keeps the ‘revolving door’ for career violent criminals wide open.”
If the bill is approved and enacted, Republicans argue that South Carolina would become the 28th state to implement Constitutional Carry laws.