STATE HOUSE: Senate committee kills 'Constitutional Carry' gun bill

The Senate Judiciary Committee struck down a bill, sponsored by state Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, that would have allowed people to carry firearms concealed or not, with or without permits.

A 4 to 17 vote ended a nearly two-hour debate Tuesday with the committee refusing to report the bill to the full Senate for consideration.

Only Bright, and state Sens. Tom Corbin, R-Greenville, Shane Martin, R-Spartanburg, and Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, voted in favor of the bill.

The meeting was lightly attended without the 2nd Amendment supporters who have frequented meetings dealing with legislation proposing expansion of gun rights.

The bill would do away with training and licensing as requirements for carrying weapons in public.

Gov. Nikki Haley recently said that she would have signed Bright’s bill had it made it to her desk. She said so after signing into law a bill that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms into bars and restaurants as long as they do not drink.

This story was originally published February 18, 2014 at 4:54 PM with the headline "STATE HOUSE: Senate committee kills 'Constitutional Carry' gun bill."