COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 21, 2020) – Two “Constitutional Carry” bills prefiled for the 2021 legislative session would make it legal for South Carolinians to carry a firearm without a license, fostering an environment hostile to federal gun control.
On Dec. 9 Rep. B. Cox (R-Greenville County) and Rep. Jonathan Hill (R-Anderson County) prefiled House Bill 3096 (H2096 ) and House Bill 3039 (H3039) respectively.
Under the proposed laws, anyone who is legally allowed to own a gun could carry it without a state-issued license. Currently, South Carolina gun owners must first attend training through a certified South Carolina CWP instructor before they can get a concealed weapons permit.
The two bills seek to repeal numerous sections of state law. At the same time, they impose restrictions on where a person can carry a firearm, concealed or not. That includes police stations, courthouses, polling locations, daycare or preschools.
EFFECT ON FEDERAL GUN CONTROL
While permitless carry bills do not directly affect federal gun control, the widespread passage of permitless conceal carry laws in states subtly undermines federal efforts to regulate guns. As we’ve seen with marijuana and industrial hemp, a federal regulation becomes ineffective when states ignore it and pass laws encouraging the prohibited activity anyway.
The federal government lacks the enforcement power necessary to maintain its ban, and people will willingly take on the small risk of federal sanctions if they know the state will not interfere. This increases when the state actively encourages “the market.”
Less restrictive state gun laws will likely have a similar impact on federal gun laws. It will make it that much more difficult for the feds to enforce any future federal gun control, and increase the likelihood that states with few limits will simply refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
State actions such as passing H2096 and H3039 would lower barriers for those wanting to the option of defending themselves with firearms and encourages a “gun-friendly” environment that would make federal efforts to limit firearms that much more difficult.
WHAT’S NEXT
H2096 and H3039 will be officially introduced when the South Carolina legislature convenes for the 2021 session on Jan. 12. Both bills will be referred to the House Committee on Judiciary where they must pass by a majority vote before moving forward in the legislative process.
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