On Wednesday, the “Fraudulent Firearms and Ammunition Purchase Prevention” bill, H. 3116, passed unanimously in the state House of Representatives. H. 3116 is now headed for the state Senate for consideration and committee referral.
Introduced by state Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), H. 3116 strengthens the law prohibiting straw purchases of firearms and ammunition from Federal Firearms License holders. This bill is designed to help prevent individuals who are prohibited from purchasing firearms or ammunition in South Carolina from engaging others who are not prohibited into making the purchases for them. It would also protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While mayor, Bloomberg had sent hired agents into other states to attempt illegal firearm purchases in an effort to blame federally licensed firearm retailers for gun crime in New York City and around the country.
Please begin contacting your state Senator in support of this critical legislation. NRA-ILA will keep you informed as this bill is assigned to committee.
NRA-backed H. 3025 is still pending in the House of Representatives, and your urgent support and action is needed! Introduced by state Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107), H. 3025 would replace the current conditional reciprocity system for recognizing Right to Carry (RTC) permits issued by other states with a straight recognition standard. In other words, any valid permit issued by another state would automatically be recognized in South Carolina. This is the standard in 19 states, while 7 other states recognize any permit issued by another state as long as the recognition is reciprocal. None of these 26 states have experienced significant problems with permit holders from other recognized states, and RTC permit holders throughout the country have proven to be exceptionally law-abiding, safe and responsible when carrying a firearm for personal protection.
Unfortunately, several law enforcement groups in South Carolina, including the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association, have voiced their opposition to this common sense reform. They have implied that permit holders from states with permit issuing standards that don't meet their lofty standards cannot be trusted to be lawful, safe, and responsible while carrying a firearm in South Carolina. However, South Carolina already recognizes permits issued by other states that do not have the same issuing standards. Law enforcement has not indicated any problems with permit holders from these states, so there is no reason to expect any problem with the passage of H. 3025.
As law enforcement continues to oppose H. 3025, it is critical that you contact your state Representative and urge him or her to SUPPORT H. 3025 and oppose any amendments designed to weaken its straight recognition standard. Please encourage your family, friends, and fellow supporters of the Second Amendment to contact their state Representatives as well.
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