South Carolina: Reciprocity Legislation Progresses in Senate

Last week’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing had both positive and disappointing results.  First and foremost, H. 3799, the Georgia-only reciprocity bill, was given a unanimous favorable report by the subcommittee and is expected to be heard by the full Senate Judiciary Committee soon.  In its current form, this legislation makes an improvement by statutorily adding Georgia to the list of states whose Right-to-Carry permits will be recognized in South Carolina.  However, it needs to be amended to a True Recognition standard so that South Carolina will recognize ALL valid Right-to-Carry permits issued by other states.  Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to support NRA’s efforts to amend H. 3799, so that it will establish a True Recognition standard for Right-to-Carry permits in South Carolina.  Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact the committee members!

Most states recognize all Right-to-Carry permits, either through a True Recognition standard or a True Reciprocity standard (i.e., states recognize permits issued by other states if those states reciprocate the recognition).  It is time for South Carolina to join with these states when it comes to accepting valid permits issued by other states.

Unfortunately, the subcommittee failed to advance H. 3025, the Permitless Carry bill.  Originally introduced as a True Recognition bill by state Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107), the bill was amended on the House floor to be a Permitless Carry bill after the original bill had faced constant opposition from law enforcement groups.  Other states continue to move towards Permitless Carry, with Idaho and West Virginia being added this year, and several other states considering this change.  It is unlikely H. 3025 can be resurrected, so NRA’s primary legislative focus will be on the passage of H. 3799, but with the goal of amending it to a much stronger bill, as outlined above.

Again, please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to support NRA’s efforts to improve H. 3799, and bring South Carolina in line with the majority of states when it comes to recognition of Right-to-Carry permits.