Georgians soon can carry concealed weapons in S.C.

The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would allow Georgians with concealed-weapon permits to carry their weapons in South Carolina.

The proposal now goes to the governor’s desk.

The proposal also would allow South Carolinians with concealed-weapon permits to carry their guns in Georgia.

Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, had been filibustering the proposal. But he ended his filibuster Wednesday because, he said, he had been promised legislative hearings before the next session on his proposal to tighten background checks before gun purchases.

Kimpson proposed several laws to tighten gun laws this session, including closing the “Charleston loophole.” That proposal would require a background check be completed before a gun can be purchased. However, the proposal went nowhere.

Kimpson’s state Senate district includes Emanuel AME Church. Last June, nine parishioners at that church were slain by a self-avowed racist using a gun that he should have been blocked from purchasing because of a drug charge.