Columbia has submitted a draft ordinance to Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office asking if it violates the state’s preemption law. The draft ordinance victimizes gun owners who have suffered the loss or theft of their property, if they fail to report a lost or stolen firearm within a certain period of time after discovering them missing. Nearby Virginia passed a similar law in 2020, which has not only been ineffective in hindering criminals, but has been almost unenforceable, as there have been just three civil penalties in the two years it has been in effect.
Attorney General Wilson has previously stopped Columbia from violating the state’s preemption law, which prevents localities from passing their own gun control. Columbia’s newest effort is just another waste of time and taxpayer resources while doing nothing to hold criminals accountable for their actions, such as stealing firearms, and get them off the streets.
Once again, we are confident that Attorney General Wilson will continue to protect the Second Amendment rights of South Carolinians and enforce the state’s preemption laws. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates.