South Carolina to allow open carry, no training or registration required

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF) – A new South Carolina law will make it easier to LEGALLY carry a gun in the Palmetto State.

South Carolina has become the 29th state to adopt the Constitutional Carry Law, which allows people 18 and older to carry a firearm without training or having it registered in their name.

“Well, I think it’s a mistake. If they’re gonna make it mandatory or say that we can carry at the age of 18 a person can carry, I think it should be mandatory that they be educated. That’s my opinion. You wanna carry a weapon, get educated,” Curtis H. said.

On March 7th, Governor Henry McMaster It took effect as soon as it was signed.

“I’m a 100% pro-Second Amendment, so obviously, I wouldn’t be doing this with my father if I didn’t feel this way. However, with any great right or privilege, you should take on the responsibility associated with it,” Gr8 Dealz Gun Pawn Owner Jaime Mckie said.

And local gun shop owners like Jaime Mckie say education is the most important thing when it comes to making this new law work.

“Whether you’re 18 or 80, you still need to be educated to drive a car. I feel like you need to be educated as well to carry a firearm.”

No license or training is required to carry a weapon, but there are still rules gun owners need to follow.

Carrying a weapon in schools, churches, government, and law enforcement buildings is still prohibited.

Some gun owners we talked with wish training would be mandatory with the law.

“It should be a requirement, by law, that you be educated. One should be educated while carrying a weapon because it’s critical. If you don’t have the knowledge and understanding of the safety of a weapon, then, it’s like a loaded gun being in irresponsible hands,” Curtis H. said.

The new law still also provides more optional, free gun training across the state, even though it is not required.

“They say that they’re going to offer free classes as far as gun safety. I was a school teacher for 20 years. I know that if you remove a requirement, you remove the incentive,” Mckie said.

The new law also increases penalties for those who carry guns into places where they are banned.

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