When Republicans pretty much own a state legislature, you expect to see craziness regarding gun laws. Well, South Carolina is considering a real doozy. Apparently some lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow anyone to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Under the new proposal, any law-abiding citizen could carry a weapon anywhere without passing any tests and without carrying a permit.
Exceptions include businesses displaying a sign banning guns and anyone's private home without permission.
People carrying guns also can't cross state lines.
WSOC-TV in Charlotte interviewed Blair Wisher, who owns the Sportsman gun shop in Rock Hill, about this proposed law. He thinks
this is a baaaaaaad idea.
Wisher has good reason to be nervous. He points out--rightly--that those who want to carry concealed weapons must currently take classes and pass tests in order to demonstrate they can safely handle a gun.
One other concern wasn't mentioned in the piece--but it's an important one. While the bill's text isn't up yet at the South Carolina General Assembly website (at least that I can tell), there doesn't seem to be any provision that bars the mentally ill from carrying a concealed weapon.
If you're on the South Carolina side of the Charlotte metro, state lawmakers will be holding a public hearing on this bill at York Technical College in Rock Hill on Monday, starting at 7. They need to know--soon--that this bill is a disaster waiting to happen.