April 7, 2008
SC Legislative Update - April 2008

March 5, 2008
SC Legislative Update - March 2008

July 25, 2007
Several SC Legislators completed CWP training in June

May 9, 2007
Updates on Legislation Currently Moving in the South Carolina Statehouse

December 9, 2006
In Memory of Rick Daniel
Congressional Record, November 13, 2006
The Honorable Joe Wilson, US House of Representatives

October 5, 2006
NRA Endorses Governor Sanford

September 19, 2006
Thomas Ravenel Receives an "A" Rating from the NRA

August 23, 2006
Public Safety Advocates Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Historic Crime Control Measure

August 9, 2006
A Meeting With Presidential Hopeful Governor George Pataki

South Carolina Legislative Update (posted April 7, 2008)
H. 4364 introduced by Mike Pitts, Lanny F. Littlejohn, McLain R. "Mac" Toole and Walton J. McLeod was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, ratified and signed into law by the Governor on April 2, 2008.  Bill H. 4364 was supported by the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of South Carolina.  This Bill prohibits the sale of handguns to persons under 18 years of age rather than under 21 years of age.  The passage of this Bill brings South Carolina in line with Federal law as well as many other states.
We are following several other pieces of legislation and looking for action in the near future.

South Carolina Legislative Update (posted March 5, 2008)
H. 3528 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is on the Senate Calendar.  This legislation would restrict personal information regarding the holder of a valid concealable weapons permit (CWP) to be released only to a law enforcement agency to aid in an official investigation, or as part of a subpoena or court order.  The Judiciary Committee amended the legislation to not only require the new restriction on releasing personal information of permit holders, but also require that any existing lists already released by SLED be destroyed.  In addition, H. 3528 was amended to require SLED issue a statistical report on permits every quarter, but this report will be limited to contain information such as number of permits issued, number of applications denied, number of renewals, number of permits suspended or revoked, etc.  The only personal information that can be released will be regarding individuals whose permits have been suspended or revoked.  NRA supports this effort to help protect the privacy of valid CWP holders, and prevent, for example, newspapers from publishing a list of permit holders.  Please contact your State Legislators and urge support for H. 3528 and opposition to any weakening amendments.
In addition, H. 3212 remains active on the Senate Calendar.  This legislation would require South Carolina to recognize valid Right to Carry permits issued by other states.  The NRA has been working for several years to improve the current reciprocity standard for permits, which are rather restrictive, and this bill would establish a straight recognition standard.  NRA is working with South Carolina Senators to ensure the best possible language passes, and Senator Jim Ritchie has agreed to our request to keep the bill from being heard until we are prepared to make a final push*.  In the meantime, please call your State Legislators and urge support for the NRA's efforts on H. 3212 and opposition to any attempts to render this legislation meaningless through overly restrictive amendments.
*We want to ensure folks understand that we are committed to passing the best language we can for recognition/reciprocity and that Sen. Ritchie is working with us on that front.  Any delays on hearing the bill are because we want to line up all the support we can and for no other reason.

Several South Carolina Legislators completed their concealed weapons permit training on Friday, June 29, 2007 (posted July 25, 2007)

They are left to right:  Representative Mike Pitts, House Member and Class Instructor;
Jimmy C. Bales; James H. Merrill; Phillip W. Shoopman; C. David Umphlett, Jr.;
Eric M. Bedingfield; Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Duncan; Bruce W. Bannister; J. Adam Taylor;
and Gerald W. "Jerry" Stoudemire, GOSC President and Rangemaster.

 

 

 

Additional Legislators completed the classroom portion of the training in June and then completed the range qualification on July 9, 2007.
They are left to right:  Representative Mike Pitts, House Member and Class Instructor;
Jimmy C. Bales; James H. Merrill; Phillip W. Shoopman; C. David Umphlett, Jr.;
Eric M. Bedingfield; Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Duncan; Bruce W. Bannister; J. Adam Taylor;
and Gerald W. "Jerry" Stoudemire, GOSC President and Rangemaster.

 

Representative R. Keith Kelly qualifying at the range under the watchful eye of Representative Mike Pitts, Instructor.

 

 

 

 

 

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Updates on Legislation Currently Moving in the South Carolina Statehouse
(posted May 9, 2007)
H3212 by Representative Greg Delleney, Jr., District 43, Chester and York Counties, is a NRA/GOSC Number 1 priority bill, referred to as the "Open Reciprocity" bill, giving CWP reciprocity to any state honoring a South Carolina CWP.  It has passed the full House of Representatives, cleared the Senate Committees, and is scheduled to be on the Senate Floor the week of May 14th.
The bill currently has a minority report by Senator Ralph Anderson of District 7, Greenville County.  If you are a constituent of Senator Anderson, please contact him and request that he remove the minority report and allow the bill to move forward in the Senate.
The bill is being ushered through the Senate by Senator Jake Knotts, District 23, Lexington County.  Also, Senator Glenn McConnell, President Pro Tempore, has expressed his wishes for passage of this bill.  We need to thank both Senators Knotts and McConnell for their effort in the passage of this bill.
The bill was sponsored in the House by Greg Delleney, Mike Pitts, Nikki Haley, Kris Crawford, Converse A. Chellis, III, G.R. Smith, Phil Owens, Rex Rice, David Weeks, Thad Viers, Gary Simrill, Eric Bedingfield, Ted Vick, Jeff Duncan, Mick Mulvaney, Leon Stavrinakis, Alan Clemons and Annette Young.  Please contact those representatives in the House who sponsored this bill and aided in its passage and thank them for their support.
H3464 “South Carolina Firearms Freedom Act” by Representative Mike Pitts is a NRA/GOSC backed bill testing federal firearms restrictions on guns made and sold within the borders of South Carolina.  It currently has 18
co-sponsors and still resides in the House Committee on Judiciary. Please contact the members of the Judiciary Committee and ask for their support of this legislation.
H3528 known as the “Privacy Bill” was introduced by Representatives Mike Pitts and Murrell Smith and now has 25 co-sponsors. The bill was passed out of the House Committee on Judiciary on May 8, 2007, and should be on the House floor for debate during the week of May 14th.  Please contact your respective House members and request that they support this much-needed bill.
H3310 related to the “carrying of handguns in a vehicle” was sponsored by Representatives Mike Pitts, Jeff Duncan, Mike Gambrell, Bill Herbkersman, Bill Sandifer, Seth Whipper, Brian White, Eric Bedingfield, David Weeks, Phil Owens, Rex Rice, Ted Vick and Wallace Scarborough. This NRA/GOSC backed bill closes a loophole between CWP law and vehicle carry law. It has cleared the House and Senate and was ratified on
May 9, 2007. GOSC has also been notified that the bill was signed into law by Governor Sanford.

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NRA Endorses Governor Sanford
Calls on Members to Give “Strong Support” to Sanford Reelection Bid
(posted October 5, 2006)
The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has endorsed Governor Mark Sanford for a second term in office, giving Governor Sanford an A+ grade for his efforts to protect the rights of gun owners and the Second Amendment.
Citing Governor Sanford’s efforts both in the U.S. Congress and as Governor of South Carolina, Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA-ILA, called on the organization’s members to support Governor Sanford in their October 2006 issue of American Rifleman.
“Gun owners should give their strong support to the re-election of Gov. Mark Sanford,” Cox wrote.
The organization specifically cited Governor Sanford’s efforts to repeal legislation that had previously limited the rights of gun owners and his support of Castle Doctrine legislation - protecting the right of South Carolinians to defend themselves from criminal attack – as reasons why Governor Sanford should receive a second term.
The NRA-PVF defines the A+ grade given to Governor Sanford as “an incumbent with not only an excellent voting record on critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote the Second Amendment.”
“Governor Sanford is honored to receive the endorsement of the NRA,” said Sanford campaign manager Jason Miller. “South Carolinians are proud supporters of their Second Amendment rights, and it’s good to see Governor Sanford recognized for his work on behalf of gun owners, hunters, and outdoorsmen.”
The NRA-PVF endorsement joins a growing list of endorsements that are recognizing Governor Sanford for his efforts in this first term, including the National Federation of Independent Business, Citizens Against Government Waste Political Action Committee, and the National Taxpayers Union Campaign Fund, which called Governor Sanford “the most fiscally conservative governor in the nation”
For more information on Governor Sanford’s efforts to protect the constitutional rights of all South Carolinians, promote economic development, and improve the quality of life for everyone in the Palmetto State, contact Jason Miller at (803) 238-7475.

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Thomas Ravenel Receives an "A" Rating from the NRA
GOP Nominee Earns “A” Rating From Key Conservative Organization
(posted September 19, 2006)
GOP State Treasurer Nominee Thomas Ravenel today announced that he has received the 2006 general election endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA), America’s preeminent defender of the Second Amendment and one of the leading proponents of firearms education and safety in the world. Ravenel received an “A” rating from the organization, which boasts more than 3 million members nationwide (including over 40,000 in South Carolina) and is the largest of several major conservative groups whose endorsement is considered to be a significant factor in elections.
 “The Second Amendment is an essential thread in the fabric of American freedom,” Ravenel said. “It is a defining American right, and one I’ve always been proud to support.”
Founded in 1871, the National Rifle Association is one of the most active grassroots organizations in the world. In addition to working at all levels of government to safeguard Americans’ Constitutional right to bear arms, the NRA supports numerous firearms education and safety efforts, including the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program for children and Refuse to be a Victim seminars for men and women.
Ravenel, a Charleston businessman, is challenging 36-year Democrat incumbent Grady Patterson. He has made restoring the state’s perfect AAA credit rating, which was twice lost under Patterson’s watch, the centerpiece of his campaign, along with protecting the state's retirement system, which currently has an unfunded liability estimated at $18 to $24 billion. Ravenel also says he’ll put his business background to work to streamline government by reducing wasteful spending.
Ravenel has challenged incumbent Patterson to debate the state's financial issues, but Patterson has refused to debate.

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Public Safety Advocates Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Historic Crime Control Measure
by Rick Daniel, GOSC Legislative Director
(posted August 23, 2006)
South Carolinians are safer now than ever before thanks to a law that took effect ten years ago. On August 23, 1996 South Carolina became the 31st state to enact a shall-issue concealed weapons permit law. Under the "Law Abiding Citizens Self-Defense Act," honest citizens were finally given the sensible option of more easily carrying firearms for self-defense.
"Over the last decade the fear mongerers and hand wringers have been proven wrong," said Rick Daniel, legislative director for Gun Owners of South Carolina. "Their dire predictions of doom and disaster simply did not come to pass. The indisputable truth is, right-to-carry works and it has made our state much safer," Daniel said.
In the years since the laws passage, South Carolina has experienced a consistent year-to-year trend of lower violent crime rates. Across the country allowing good citizens to arm themselves in public has always proven to be a significant crime deterrent.
Data assembled by liberal researcher Dr. John Lott of the University of Chicago supports this assertion. Lott's compiled data conclusively proves that states with shall-issue concealed carry laws (like South Carolina) experience significant reductions in violent crime over the years immediately following the law's enactment.
"Criminals and thugs are by nature cowards who prey on the weak and defenseless. An armed citizen is not an easy victim," Daniel said. "As more law-abiding citizens take the reasonable step to arm themselves, we'll see the violent crime rate drop even further."
Since the current law took effect in 1996, well over 50,000 concealed weapons permits have been issued. There have been no reports of serious firearms related violations involving permit holders. And the number of permits revoked is statistically insignificant with the majority being recalled for administrative reasons such as a permit holder moving out of state or simply failing to renew.

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A Meeting With Presidential Hopeful Governor George Pataki
by Rick Daniel, GOSC Legislative Director
(posted August 9, 2006)
I’ve worked extremely hard over the last two decades to develop relationships that give me access to people who can help advance our cherished Second Amendment rights. As a result, I am often invited to meet with various politicians and other leaders who are interested in understanding the political dynamic of gun rights in South Carolina.
Most recently I was asked to represent Gun Owners of South Carolina at a luncheon and roundtable discussion with Governor George Pataki of New York. On Saturday, August 5th I joined roughly a dozen other representatives of various grassroots movements at Saluda’s restaurant in Five Points for the meeting with Governor Pataki.
Pataki, who is a likely presidential candidate for 2008, has the distinction of being the nation’s longest serving governor. I was impressed with Governor Pataki. I also, earlier in the day, met his wife Libby who attended high school in Beaufort. The Pataki’s are nice folks and I wish them well.
During the roundtable session I asked Governor Pataki how he'd appeal to pro-gun South Carolinians who see New York politicians as typically unfriendly to gun rights.
Basically Pataki explained that he was a state's rights conservative and that in his view the federal government ought not to interfere with lawful gun ownership. He would oppose efforts at the federal level to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.
Of course that's an answer he knew we’d like to hear, but it’s not a very strong one.
Pataki also talked about how crime had dropped in New York during his tenure. Tougher sentences, good judicial appointments, and strict prosecution of even small crimes were all cited as contributing to the drop. That prompted me to ask about right-to-carry.
I prefaced my question with a brief explanation of how effective our improved CWP law has been at reducing crime. I asked Pataki what (if anything) he’d done in New York to move things in a similar direction. Again, he gave a reasonable, albeit rehearsed answer.
After alluding to the state's rights angle, Pataki went on to say that what works in one part of the country might not work in others. He said each state should decide. He also said an effort was underway in New York (with his support) to make CWPs good statewide.
Apparently CWPs are fairly common outside of New York City. He feels permits issued outside of the NYC should be honored there. He scored points with the remark:
"After all, that's where you're most likely to need one."
The good folks of New York are fortunate to have a conservative like Pataki in the Governor's Office. As I understand it, he’s a breath of fresh air compared to the liberals that preceded him. Unfortunately, he has a long way to go if he hopes to gain the support of gun owners in states like South Carolina.

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