Staff Reports
Amidst the ongoing debate over gun rights in South Carolina, conservative Republicans find themselves engaged in a challenging battle to advance a bill that would permit most South Carolinians to carry firearms in public.
Under the leadership of Governor Henry McMaster, the Senate introduced amendments to the bill aimed at bolstering penalties for illegal gun possession and providing exemptions for state lawmakers from certain restrictions. Additionally, the amendments allowed businesses to prohibit concealed weapons on their premises and imposed stricter penalties for individuals opting out of safety training. These amendments garnered support from Republicans who sought to combat illegal gun usage and enhance public safety. Governor McMaster lauded the amendments, citing their potential to keep criminals off the streets and enhance community safety.
South Carolina Republicans at war over ‘constitutional carry’ bill https://t.co/I0j27s9Bdd via @dcexaminer
— Isaiah McFarland (@perfectpeace) February 12, 2024
However, when the bill reached the House, Republican members refused to accept the Senate's amendments, standing firm on their stance and unwilling to compromise on what they perceived as a diluted version of the bill they had vigorously championed.
Conservative gun rights groups, adamant about preserving the integrity of the bill, launched a concerted campaign against every House GOP member. They inundated lawmakers with text messages, accused Senate Republicans of betrayal, and labeled them as "Second Amendment sellouts." Frustrated by what they viewed as behind-the-scenes negotiations and concessions, these groups amplified their voices to ensure their discontent was unmistakably clear.
The House's rejection of the Senate's amendments prompted warnings from Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, who emphasized that the Senate would not endorse a House version of the bill lacking their proposed amendments. Governor McMaster echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment over the absence of stricter penalties for illegal gun possession and usage.
As tensions persist between the two chambers, the future of the bill hangs in uncertainty. With Republicans controlling both houses of the state legislature and the governor's office, the fate of the bill remains undecided. Failure to reach a consensus could potentially delay the passage of permitless carry legislation in South Carolina for years, a prospect that alarms conservative Republicans.
