COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolinians are now able to openly carry a weapon.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, also known as South Carolina Constitutional Carry, into law on Thursday. The law allows anyone who an legally own a gun to carry it openly without a permit.
State lawmakers in both the House and Senate passed the bill despite some concerns from Democrats and law enforcement. Rep. Brandon Cox, one of the bill's sponsors said other states have adopted similar laws without any trouble. Cox advocated for the bill on the House floor Tuesday, citing new laws in 20 states nationwide.
"Two things it advances: our Second Amendment freedoms for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves with firearms, but also addresses real gun crime and that’s something that we can be proud of to vote on," he said. "Louisiana signed this bill into law this morning, and those states have not become the wild, wild west.”
A big part of the debate came from law enforcement agencies and advocates worried that officers may face more armed individuals at crime scenes, making it harder to identify a threat.
"We specifically shared concerns with 18-year-olds being allowed to openly carry handguns, the lack of mandated training to ensure safe carry and no proper holstering techniques," John "JJ" Jones of the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association, said.
To try to curb those concerns, the bill increases penalties for felons who carry a weapon and provides millions of dollars in free gun training necessary to get a concealed weapons permit for adults who choose to take the course.
There are also some exceptions. In most circumstances, it's unlawful to carry a weapon in schools, police stations, active courtrooms, among other places.
Despite pushback from most Democrats, both chambers passed the bill.
"This is a permitless carry," Sen. Margie Bright Matthews said. "Why are we going to allow people to carry more guns, and this time without a [concealed weapons permit]? Why? I submit to you that the only reason why this was done and this was passed in this chamber on a partisan vote mostly is because this is an election year.”
Before the bill passed, only concealed weapons permit holders could openly carry pistols. With the bill now law, Jones said they're grateful that gun crime penalties will be enhanced.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.