Senate panel advances permitless carry bill

A Senate bill that would clear the way for carrying firearms in South Carolina without a permit advanced from a panel on Tuesday with fewer than five days remaining in the legislative calendar.

It’s the beginning step for the bill that was first discussed in mid April. The bill – whose author is Sen. Shane Martin, R-Spartanburg – is different than one the House bill has already passed.

The Senate panel advanced it on a three to one vote, which included a vote by proxy from Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Georgetown, who was absent from the meeting. Sen. Rex Rice, R-Pickens, voted on Goldfinch’s behalf.

Like the House version, the Senate bill allows those who are legally permitted to own, carry or purchase a firearm to do so without having to obtain a permit. “Open carry,” which allows for a person to carry a firearm exposed on their person, also would be permitted.

The proposal also would prohibit drinking or committing a crime while carrying a firearm. And it bars the carrying of firearms into already prohibited locations, such as schools and courthouses. Both bills also keep the concealed weapons permitting process in place for those who would still like to have a permit.

As of Tuesday, however, there were no plans to schedule another hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee during the last week of session, which is the panel where the bill is headed to next.

The bill, however, does not die; 2017 is the first half of a two-year session. When legislators return in January, they will be able to continue discussing the bill with the progress that has already been made.

This story was originally published May 2, 2017 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Senate panel advances permitless carry bill."