South Carolina: Efforts to Reconsider H.3240 Fall Short

Yesterday's effort in the South Carolina House of Representatives to take up H. 3240 fell short.  This bill, introduced by state Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107), sought to ensure that South Carolina recognizes all valid Right-to-Carry (RTC) permits issued by other states.  Unfortunately, the bill was amended on the floor to make the bill a reciprocity bill, rather than a universal recognition bill.  This means that, in order for South Carolina to recognize a permit issued by another state, that state would also have to recognize a South Carolina permit.  While reciprocity is an improvement over current law, NRA supports universal recognition as a stronger policy.

After H. 3240 was amended, it was passed by the House by an 85-23 vote.  State Representative Mike Pitts (R-14) made a motion to reconsider the vote on the bill, and while many legislators committed to a vote to reconsider after hearing from you, it became clear the vote would fail and Representative Pitts withdrew his motion.  The bill was then passed on its final vote. 

While NRA still supports H. 3240, as it makes a clear improvement to existing law, we will continue to work to return the bill to its original form.  In its current form, this bill could add a dozen or more states to South Carolina's list of reciprocal states for RTC permits.  Our goal, however, is to establish universal recognition for RTC permits. 

Stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this bill.