MORNING HEADLINES | With the approach of the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Emanuel AME Church in which nine people died, advocacy groups continue to push for tougher gun laws.
Advocacy groups Everytown for Gun Safety, South Carolina Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action and members of the Calhoun Street church came together Tuesday to again call on state politicians to close the so-called “Charleston loophole.”
“There was one shooter — but he didn’t act alone,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “He was empowered by a system – a system that turns a blind eye to white supremacy, a system that allows deadly weapons to fall into the wrong hands. The Charleston loophole is not just some legal technicality. It is a failure. And that failure cost nine lives.”
The loophole is a federal regulatory gap that allows gun sales to proceed after three business days, even if a background check has not yet been completed. Closing the loophole would give gun sellers more time after a background check before selling a gun. In the case involving the church, now-convicted murderer Dylann Roof was able to purchase a gun even though his background check had not cleared.
“With gun violence still raging throughout our state, largely unchecked, we call upon our lawmakers to honor the victims and survivors of Charleston with action and close the loophole now,” said Students Demand Action member and Beaufort High School student Laurel Hinderliter.
Advocates said South Carolina has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States with few safeguards in place to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. They added that in an average year, 1,081 people are killed by guns in the Palmetto State and that gun violence costs South Carolina around $14 billion each year.
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HELP WANTED: ISO great Valentine’s stories. Hey Charleston lovebirds — is there a bar or restaurant in town that played a pivotal role in your romance? Or perhaps a dish or drink that you celebrate with every year?
We want to hear all about it! Send the details to connelly@charlestoncitypaper.com to be featured in our coming Valentine’s Day issue.
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In other recent headlines:
CP ART: MOJA Arts Festival to celebrate Black History Month with 3 events. Charleston’s MOJA Arts Festival is spreading its wings in February by offering three events during Black History Month, including a dance performance that will kick off a community read of a major book.
McMaster to deliver State of the State address tonight. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster is set to deliver his annual State of the State address before a joint session of the General Assembly Wednesday at 7 p.m. In related news, McMaster recently has become the nation’s longest-serving governor.
Construction to begin on Lowcountry Lowline project this year. City of Charleston officials met Tuesday afternoon to discuss funding for several transportation initiatives, including the long-awaited Lowcountry Lowline project, which will be a connecting path for pedestrians and bicyclists through downtown Charleston.
Air Canada’s route between Charleston and Toronto returns. The route, which re-established Charleston International as a truly “international” airport, is on final approach to start up again in 2025 but with some changes.
FOOD: Pink Bellies owner to launch new Charleston pop-up. Vietnamese restaurant Pink Bellies announced Pho King, a pop-up that will serve pho and seafood-forward small plates at Pink Bellies (595 King St.) every Wednesday, one of the nights his restaurant does not open.
- Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop named one of the South’s best bakeries
- Owners of Johns Island cafe to open bagel spot in downtown Charleston
Boeing sees bright future for S.C. Dreamliner plant. Boeing is planning another rate increase for the 787 it builds in North Charleston as plans move forward to double the site’s manufacturing space, signaling better times ahead for the planemaker despite an $11.8 billion loss last year.
SPOT A POTHOLE: Charleston leaders say they are ready. Freezing winter storms bring the potential for new potholes to pop up and, after the storms that hit the Lowcountry last week. Charleston leaders say they are ready to respond.
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