NRA Mobilizes Members in Support of Right to Carry Legislation

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) is mobilizing its members and supporters in South Carolina to take action to pass legislation that at the very least would ensure South Carolina recognizes ALL valid Right to Carry permits issued by other states. 

 “This legislation would dramatically improve the ability of law-abiding citizens to exercise their fundamental right to protect themselves,” said Catherine Mortensen, NRA Spokesperson. “We are urging our members and supporters in South Carolina to ask their state senators to support this common sense reform.” 

 Last year, H 3025 was introduced by state Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107) with the intention of passing a true Right to Carry recognition bill, which would ensure that South Carolina recognized ALL valid Right to Carry permits issued by other states.  After facing opposition from both the State Law Enforcement Division and the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, H 3025 was amended to become a Permitless Carry bill, which would allow any law-abiding citizen who may lawfully possess a handgun to carry a handgun for personal protection, without the need to first acquire a permit.  This bill passed with a strong, bipartisan majority. 

Further, the House of Representatives also passed H 3799 during the 2015 session.  Introduced by state Representative Bill Hixon (R-83), H 3799 would expand recognition of Right to Carry permits, but only to the state of Georgia.

Both bills were carried over to the 2016 session and are now awaiting action in the Senate.

H 3025 and H 3799 are both viable, and at a minimum, the Senate Judiciary Committee should work to ensure South Carolina recognizes valid Right to Carry permits issued by all other states.

The NRA sent members an email alert asking them to contact the senators on the Judiciary Committee and their sheriff urging them to support pro-Second Amendment efforts. Members are directed to the following links for contact information:

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/committee.php?chamber=S#jud

http://www.usacops.com/sc/shrflist.html

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.