Three Republican state senators — Sens. Wes Climer of Rock Hill, Rex Rice of Easley and Brian Adams of Goose Creek — voted this week to approve a bill to allow adults in South Carolina to carry a handgun legally with no permit or training required. Democratic Sens. Ronnie Sabb of and Dick Harpootlian of Columbia voted against the measure (S. 109).
Police chiefs across the state widely warned senators from approving the measure to establish what’s called constitutional, or permitless, carry of a gun. A similar bill passed the S.C. House earlier this year.
“This puts our law enforcement officers in a position to fail,” Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook testified at a hearing.
Proponents of the measure routinely say gun owners shouldn’t have a “government permission slip” to carry a gun. The state, however, requires various licenses and registrations for daily life — from driver’s licenses and insurance requirements to certifications for doctors, lawyers and even barbers and hairdressers.
In other news recent news:
House off next week. The S.C. House is off next week and returns April 18. The S.C. Senate continues committee work on the state budget and has several other subcommittee and committee meetings.
S.C. House passes teacher parental leave bill. The S.C. House on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill allowing teachers or other school district staff up to six weeks of paid leave when they give birth or adopt a child.
Clyburn backs ex-staffer to lead S.C. Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn is backing former staffer Christale Spain in her effort to lead South Carolina’s Democrats as the state prepares to host the party’s opening presidential primary in 2024.
S.C. House passes bill to allow betting on horse races. In a surprising move to some, the Republican supermajority in the S.C. House passed a Democrat’s bill to expand gambling on horse races through an app.
Lawmakers consider making school lunch free. During the past two years, school lunches were free for everyone, but since the program ended, schools have been left to pick up the tab. However, a new bill introduced by state lawmakers calls for the state to provide the funding to get free meals for students.
State worker raises planned in S.C. Senate budget. After years of rapid growth in tax collections, South Carolina lawmakers want to share the windfall with nearly every state employee.
S.C. senators advance Charter School Accountability Act. A state Senate subcommittee advanced the Charter School Accountability Act, which would put more safeguards in place to ensure South Carolina’s public charter schools are held accountable to serve their students.
S.C. House unanimously OKs elimination of tampon tax. South Carolina House lawmakers voted Wednesday to remove the state’s tampon tax, which would boost efforts to make menstrual products more accessible and affordable.
S.C. utility bills among nation’s highest, report shows. According to the report from move.org, the Palmetto State ranks ninth among states with the highest utility bills in 2023. Much of that cost in South Carolina comes from electricity use.
Deficient bridges being fixed, DOT says. The S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is more than halfway into its “Strategic 10-Year Plan” to replace and refurbish the state’s major highways, interstates and bridges. About half of the 500 bridges that are part of the plan have been fixed or are being fixed, the DOT says. Another 600 bridges apparently aren’t part of the plan.
Former president pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts. Former President Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday after surrendering to police. He is accused of covering up a potential sex scandal during his 2016 presidential campaign. He faces 34 felony counts, which carry a maximum sentence of 136 years. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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