South Carolina Ping
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Posted on 01/16/2014 5:54:59 PM PST by Gamecock
A bill that would allow concealed firearms in places that serve alcohol cleared a critical hurdle Thursday when the state Senate passed the proposal without a midnight curfew that Senate Democrats insisted on last year.
The Senate voted to amend and then returned to the House a bill that would allow people who have licenses to carry concealed weapons to carry guns into bars or restaurants as long as they do not drink alcohol. Businesses also could decide not to allow firearms on their properties by posting signs. The vote, 34 to 3, was on an amendment to improve some of the bill's language -- changes senators said were minor.
If the House gives the bill final approval and Gov. Nikki Haley signs it into law, it will prove a victory for 2nd Amendment advocates who have tried and failed to pass similar measures in the past, but found momentum last year in the national debate about expanding or limiting gun rights sparked by news of mass shootings around the country.
Supporters have said the bill would allow people licensed to carry concealed weapons to carry while eating dinner in a restaurant, instead of having to lock their gun in a vehicle, where it is less secure, they say.
But critics say the bill could cause unintended harm.
“Three, four, five o’clock in the morning, you can be in a bar or a club -- anywhere you want to be -- with a handgun,” said Sen. John Scott, D-Richland. “The bill sends a terrible message to the community. It is worse than it was when it left the Senate. I think a lot of innocent people are going to get hurt.”
State law does not distinguish between restaurants that serve alcohol and bars. Drawing that distinction would be difficult, lawmakers said.
The compromise that passed the Senate last year included a curfew that would prohibit concealed weapons in places that serve alcohol from midnight to 5 a.m.
But the House removed that curfew with bi-partisan support and added changes to the state's conceal weapons permit law, sending the bill back to the Senate where it was blocked as the clock ran out on the legislative session.
The Senate has focused much of its time this week, the first week of the legislative session, debating the bill, which passed Thursday with a few minor changes and now goes back to the House.
If the House approves the bill, it will go to Gov. Nikki Haley's desk.
A lot of innocent people do get hurt. By bad people with guns.
SC Ping
PA has always allowed you to carry in places that serve alcohol. That said, it’s never a good idea to have a blood alcohol level above 0.00 while carrying.
Dittos on that.
But really now, how much carnage has been inflicted on the people of this here Good Commonwealth?
OTH, lot of bad guys have regretted their decision to rob bars!
But, your point about packin and being snockered, is good.
In such a case, even if you are in the “right” you are “wrong.”
Yeah, that’s right from the gun control playbook...more guns, more crime. Same thing was said in Georgia when it passed there...no change. The most dangerous time for my wife and I is leaving a restaurant at night walking thru the parking lot back to our car where I had to leave the gun. Thank you South Carolina!!!
“Three, four, five o’clock in the morning, you can be in a bar or a club — anywhere you want to be — with a handgun,” said Sen. John Scott, D-Richland.
Apparently this guy has a lot of experience of being in bars at three, four or five o’clock in the morning.
South Carolina Ping
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Of all the states we have been stationed in for the past 27 years, SC remains my favorite. We bought a home here and I don’t regret it.
In our CCW class we learned how the laws in this state protect homeowners and the law abiding from lawsuits and arrest. It was all due to our former Governor who saw the way things were turning and put in place our rights and protections.
It makes no sense to be about in public and leave your weapon in your car. In the first place, it is much more apt to be stolen by a criminal. In the second place, it leaves you unnecessarily vulnerable to criminals while walking though parking lots, on the street, and in the restaurant and other places you might go before returning to your car.
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