South Carolina: Important Self-Defense Legislation Needs Your Help!

With the South Carolina Legislature’s 2016 legislative session underway, a number of bills which could affect your Second Amendment rights have already been introduced.  Notably, NRA-supported H 4703, introduced by House Judiciary Chairman Greg Delleney (R-43), seeks to clarify the Protection of Persons and Property Act (South Carolina’s “Castle Doctrine”) to ensure that a defendant who is denied protection from prosecution under this Act is immediately able to appeal such a denial.  HB 4703 was reported favorably out of the House Constitutional Laws Subcommittee last week, and should be heard by the full House Judiciary Committee this Tuesday, February 2.  Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 4703 without any weakening amendments.

Additionally, several anti-gun bills have been introduced which could infringe upon your right to Keep and Bear Arms.  It is critical that you contact your state legislators and politely urge them to stand with law-abiding gun owners and OPPOSE these bills.  Among the NRA-opposed bills are several anti-gun bills that would establish a de facto waiting period for firearm purchases including:

• H 4388, introduced by state Representative Beth Bernstein (D-78);
  
• H 4551 and H 4552, both introduced by state Representative Doug Brannon (R-38); and
  
• S 917 and S 918, both introduced by state Senator Gerald Malloy (D-29)

Furthermore, S 942, introduced by state Senator Marlon Kimpson (D-42), would establish both a Firearm Purchase Permit and require the IMMEDIATE report of the loss or theft of any firearm (or face criminal penalty).

Other anti-gun bills include H 4564, introduced by state Representative Joseph Jefferson (D-102), and S 943, introduced by state Senator Kimpson, which both seek to establish a firearm registration scheme.  H 4440, introduced by state Representative Wendell Gilliard (D-111), and S 939, introduced by state Senator Kimpson, both seek to ban countless semi-automatic firearms.

There are a number of pro-gun bills which are also pending consideration. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills. In the meantime, please be sure to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and politely urge them to SUPPORT HB 4703 without amendment. Also, please contact your state legislators to voice your strong opposition to the anti-gun bills mentioned above.