First appearance on Fox: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the Unlicensed Guns Act into law Thursday, making him the second Republican-led state to introduce constitutional gun laws in two days.
“This new law increases harsh penalties for illegal firearm use and possession by criminals. It will now allow law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges to hold career violent criminals in their place. We can lock them up in the prisons where they belong, where they can no longer harm innocent South Carolinians,” McMaster said. This week’s bill.
The bill, backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), would allow eligible citizens over the age of 18 to carry firearms in public without approval or permission from the government. The state Senate passed the bill Wednesday by a vote of 28-18, and the state House passed it the previous day with a vote of 86-33.
The bill’s main sponsor, Republican state Rep. Bobby J. Cox, told Fox News Digital that the bill’s signing marks “a long, hard-fought victory for South Carolina.”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signs the Constitution Enforcement Act. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
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“Governor McMaster and his colleagues in both chambers of Congress have sent a resounding message that South Carolinians should never need government permission to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. “Our Founding Fathers As we intended, the Second Amendment was unequivocally affirmed. To our fellow NRA members, gun owners, and patriots across South Carolina who worked tirelessly to make this day a reality. Thank you,” he said.
McMaster is the second Republican governor to sign such a bill this week, after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry approved the state version on Tuesday.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster becomes the second Republican governor to sign such a bill this week. (Joshua Boucher/State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
NRA Interim Executive Vice President and CEO Andrew Arulanandam praised the NRA and its allies for securing constitutional coverage in a second state within about 48 hours.
“Thanks to the unwavering support of our members, in approximately 48 hours, the NRA secured constitutional carry victories in two states, Louisiana and South Carolina, bringing the total number of states that have enacted this important legislation to 29. Joe -Since Biden became president, there are 13 states,” Arulanandam said in exclusive comments to FOX News Digital.
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“The NRA is here to stay, fighting relentlessly across this country. Make no mistake, doubting the NRA and its members is a sure path to defeat. Challenging the NRA’s resolve leads to defeat every time. Because history has consistently shown that.”
Andrew Arulanandam, NRA Interim CEO and Executive Vice President; (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
South Carolina is the 29th state in the nation to enact a constitutional law. Florida had the honor last year when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state’s bill in April, charging the U.S. with an unauthorized carry majority state.
South Carolina law still prohibits carrying firearms in certain locations, including schools, courthouses and polling places on Election Day. Residents can obtain a permit if they wish. The bill would also increase penalties for persons who are prohibited from carrying firearms, such as convicted felons, who are found in possession of a firearm, and would increase penalties for repeatedly carrying a firearm in a restricted area. There are also penalties for those who do so.
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“The NRA reaches another important milestone as South Carolina becomes the 29th state to enact a landmark NRA-backed constitutional carry law. This pivotal move will allow South Carolinians to protect themselves and their families. “It strengthens the fundamental right of ‘self-defense’ by eliminating the need to obtain permission to protect it,” NRA-ILA Executive Director Randy Kozucci told FOX News Digital in an exclusive comment.
“Governor McMaster has honored his promise and swiftly signed this important bill into law less than 24 hours after it passed the South Carolina General Assembly. “It has garnered widespread praise from members,” Kozucci continued.
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He is the lead sponsor of the bill, along with House Speaker G. Murrell Smith Jr., state senators Shane Martin and Wes Clymer, and state representatives Jason Elliott and Micah Caskey. He thanked Mr Cox for his “collective dedication”. “He has been instrumental in promoting the right of self-defense in South Carolina.”
“Most importantly, thank you, NRA members, because none of this would be possible without you.”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster poses after signing the Constitution Enforcement Act.
Critics of the bill argued it could lead to more people owning firearms, leading to more crime and gun-related deaths.
“With all these murders happening in South Carolina and America, why do we want to promote what we think is right in the Second Amendment? Why don’t we put limits on it? Why do people Allow them to carry more guns, this time without the CWP,” Democratic state Sen. Margie Bright Matthews argued this week.
“I am deeply concerned that this is what we are doing,” Democratic state Rep. Seth Rose told House members this week. “I have friends and people from both political parties… who come up to me and say, ‘What is everyone doing? What are you thinking?'”
Republican state Sen. Shane Martin, who sponsored the bill, told Fox News Digital that the law is “nothing more and nothing less than a God-given constitutional right.”
“I have supported the Constitutional Act for more than a decade, and my persistence on this fundamental issue means that law-abiding South Carolinians no longer need to rely on their government to exercise their freedoms. I’m proud and happy to be doing this,” he said.
“I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Shane Massie for working with me to prioritize this bill in 2024. I also want to thank Senator Brad Hutt for his hard work on the conference committee. I am proud to have successfully led this fight for our rights, and we need them now more than ever. “
Robin Evans, founder of Chicks with Triggers, has trained more than 4,500 women in gun safety. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Robin Evans, founder and owner of a boutique self-defense training company for women called Chicks with Triggers, said the new law will further empower citizens, especially women, to take their safety into their own hands. He told FOX News Digital.
“As an avid firearms instructor in South Carolina, I am honored to empower thousands of women, many of whom are survivors of rape, domestic violence, stalking, and other unspeakable acts of violence. “My mission is to train these resilient women in firearms, self-defense techniques so they can protect themselves and their loved ones,” said NRA Instructor Evans. he told FOX News Digital.
Evans launched Chicks with Triggers during the pandemic. In an interview with Fox News Digital late last year, she said she considers it her “little hobby” to help equip women to fight threats through gun safety and self-defense lessons. He said he started this business. Business quickly boomed, and Evans was holding classes for 25 to 30 women every weekend in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
May 16, 2023 at the South Carolina State Capitol in Columbia. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images)
Evans said McMaster’s signing of the bill is “a monumental victory for South Carolina and the women who are trained to protect themselves from criminals.”
“Criminals do not wait for permission to illegally arm themselves, and neither do the brave women I support. We demand the right to unimpeded self-defense. Today we are proud to announce that South Carolina is the 29th Celebrating the monumental victory of statehood.” “To recognize this essential freedom. On behalf of Triggers with Triggers and the fearless women we represent, Governor McMaster.” , Rep. Cox, and the NRA for their unwavering dedication to securing this life-affirming law,” she said.
“Together, we are rewriting the narrative from victims to victors,” Evans added.
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The law went into effect after the governor’s signature on Thursday.
A complete list of states with constitutional carry laws include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and New Hampshire. , which includes North Dakota. , Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
