What Others Say: Hoping for best with the state’s new gun law

In approving the legislation, long a priority of McMaster and many GOP lawmakers, South Carolina joins 28 other states that allow open carry of guns without a permit, including most of the South.

While critics argue the new law is irresponsible and will lead to increased gun violence, statistics from around the country offer conflicting findings. But law enforcement has warned of a negative impact, and there is legitimate fear that more guns and immediate access to them could lead to more deadly situations.

Lawmakers believe they have addressed key safety issues:

• The law creates stiffer penalties for people who repeatedly carry guns in places where they are banned or commit crimes while armed, whether they use the weapon or not.

• The law identifies places where guns cannot be carried, including police stations, jails and prisons; courtrooms; polling places; public meetings; daycare and preschool facilities; hospitals and medical facilities, and collegiate sporting events.

• As has been the law, guns are not allowed in any privately owned facility displaying a placard barring gun owners from entering the building.

Law enforcement has concerns specifically related to cars, where under previous law it was a misdemeanor to have a handgun in the vehicle unless it was secured in a glove compartment, center console, trunk or secure container. Concealed carry permit holders could secure their weapons under their seat in a vehicle, in an open or closed container in the cab or on their person.

Under the new law, the latter provision now applies to everyone.

As to worries about people with no training openly carrying guns, lawmakers sought to promote permits and safety.

Classes needed to get a concealed weapons permit will be free. The state will appropriate more than $4 million to the State Law Enforcement Division to cover the $100 cost of a concealed carry class across an average of 41,356 participants per year.

The agency is to hire four new employees at a cost of nearly $400,000 per year, and spend approximately $152,000 for vehicles and equipment. To inform the public of the new law, SLED will also be funding a million-dollar ad campaign to advertise the new courses.

Only time will tell whether people en masse will be responsible enough to get the training. But they do have incentive beyond safety concerns: With a South Carolina permit, you can carry a concealed handgun in 35 other states around the U.S. Without it, your right to openly carry may be nullified.

We live in a dangerous world. Proponents of statutes such as the new open-carry in South Carolina say law-abiding citizens are due the right to protect themselves since criminals will have guns regardless of the law. The argument is legitimate but more weapons in more hands with less overall training on their use is worrisome.

Regardless, South Carolinians will have to become accustomed to seeing more guns being openly carried by more people. A new era has begun. We hope for the best.

— Times and Democrat of Orangeburg