This week, Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), introduced H. 4681, which would remove the ability of local governments to restrict the use, sale, or transportation of firearms during a state of emergency, and would also prohibit SLED from releasing the personal information of Right-to-Carry (RTC) permit holders unless the request for the information is part of an investigation by law enforcement.
This legislation would prevent outrageous abuses of power such as that which happened in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when local authorities decided they should disarm law-abiding citizens, leaving countless people helpless to defend themselves against violent criminals during a time of virtual anarchy. It would also prevent anti-gun newspapers from harassing law-abiding RTC permit holders by publishing their personal information.
Please contact your Representative and urge him to co-sponsor and support H. 4681. Also, please continue to contact your Senator and urge him to support H. 4301, the “Castle Doctrine” bill sponsored by Representative G. Murrell Smith (R-67), that would remove the “duty to retreat” if a law-abiding person is attacked anywhere that person may lawfully be. State Representatives can be reached at (803) 734-2010, and Senators can be reached at (803) 212-6200.