S.C. House Democrats successfully amend permitless carry bill that passed S.C. House

Democrats made a bad bill better by passing amendments to ensure equal treatment under the law and implement common-sense gun safety

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – February 23 – The S.C. House is expected to pass a bill allowing for the permitless carry of guns on Thursday morning after multiple amendments by Democrats were adopted.

H. 3594 passed by a vote of 90-30 in second reading after a lengthy floor debate on Wednesday.

“We made a bad bill better,” State Representative Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland) said. “Permitless carry is a bad idea that will only add to the sky-high homicide rate in our state. But despite being outnumbered, Democrats worked together with Republicans to add guardrails to this legislation.”

Johnson filed an amendment to require that a stolen gun must be reported to law enforcement within 30 days. This amendment was adopted by voice vote in a big win for common-sense gun safety.

House Democrats Leader Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) filed an amendment to hold that a gun does not constitute reasonable suspicion or probable cause – in order to ensure that all citizens, especially people of color, receive equal treatment under the law. The amendment was then adopted by voice vote after a motion to table was defeated by a vote of 54-46. You can view his remarks on the amendment here.

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