South Carolina became the 29th state to permit constitutional carry, or carrying a firearm without a permit.
“With my signature, South Carolina is now the 29th state in the country with constitutional carry,” Governor Henry McMaster (R) wrote on X. “This bill expands the Second Amendment rights of our law-abiding citizens and will keep violent criminals behind bars with increased penalties for illegal gun use and possession.”
State Representative Bobby Cox, the bill’s sponsor, told Fox News that the legislation’s passing was a “long and hard-fought victory for South Carolina.”
“Gov. McMaster and my colleagues across both chambers of the Legislature have sent a resounding message: South Carolinians should never require government permission to defend themselves, their families, and their communities,” Cox said. “Our God-given right to self-defense, as enshrined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, is unequivocally affirmed, just as our founding fathers intended. Thank you to my fellow NRA members, gun owners, and patriots throughout South Carolina who have tirelessly worked to make this day a reality.”
South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew Kissick said in a statement, “Today is a tremendous victory for freedom in South Carolina. Despite what the radical Left may want, ‘shall not be infringed’ will never be up for debate in the Palmetto State. Thanks to Governor McMaster and both Chambers in the South Carolina Legislature, our God-given right to bear arms is now free from government babysitting.”
Democrats condemned the bill.
State Representative Seth Rose (D) said during the bill’s debate, “I’m deeply troubled that this is something we’re doing,” adding, “I have friends and citizens from both political parties that come up to me; some of my best friends that are Republicans will come up to me and say, ‘What are y’all doing? What are you thinking?'”
Thirteen states have passed constitutional carry laws since Joe Biden became president.
