South Carolina lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are apparently in agreement on making this change to the state’s gun laws, according to local media.
Democrats and Republicans have voiced support for cracking down on illegal gun possession with no bond and mandatory sentencing.
Referencing two recent mass shootings that left over 20 people injured, state Sen. Dick Harpootlian spoke about the need for change.
“Republicans, Democrats, Black, white — everybody understand this is intolerable,” Sen. Harpootlian told News19 on Wednesday. “Innocent people — a 76-year-old man at the mall shot for being at the food court. I mean, that’s unacceptable.”
Harpootlian, a Democrat, says his new bill would make illegal gun possession a mandatory one-year sentence for a first offense and a mandatory two-year sentence for a second offense.
SEE ALSO: Do You Believe Piers Morgan’s Mea Culpa?
Under current law, offenders can be fined up to $1,000 or sentenced to no more than one year in prison.
“More importantly,” Harpootlian continued, “it’d require a general sessions court judge to set bond, not a magistrate. And that means there’s going to be a lot more deliberate focus on each one of these as to whether or not they’re going to get out on bond.”
On Twitter, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) promised to sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk before the end of the current two-year legislative session on May 12.
Law enforcement needs help keeping illegal, stolen guns out of the hands of juveniles and criminals. I stand with Sen. Harpootlian and members of the Senate who are proposing no bond and mandatory minimum sentences in circuit court for illegal gun possession.
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) April 26, 2022
“Law enforcement needs help keeping illegal, stolen guns out of the hands of juveniles and criminals,” tweeted Gov. McMaster. “I stand with Sen. Harpootlian and members of the Senate who are proposing no bond and mandatory minimum sentences in circuit court for illegal gun possession.”
Stay tuned for updates.
The only answer anti-gun legislators come up with, is to punish the innocent, law abiding gun owners. Why? That answer is simple…..”They” can “control” the law……but they won’t enforce it!
We have jail’s and prison’s for the purpose of “restricting” and “controlling”……just like those unconstitutional “restrictions” and “controls” They would concoct.
Federal Government, here’s a hint: If you don’t want to repeat the “Civil War” experience of the past…….don’t try to infringe OUR RIGHTS and OUR ABILITY to keep the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT in check!!
Hmmm, I seen a lot of “not allowed” in my life imposed by power crazy politicians. I am NOT signing on with this vague and emotional call to action.
South Carolina does not recognize my Illinois concealed carry card. Does this mean it’s a felony for me to carry in SC? I would rather drive around rather than through a state that would make me defenseless.
You may not carry on your person without it, but may be able to have it loaded , and in a “latched” compartment. We do not NEED a cwp to own or have a loaded handgun in the car in SC, as long as it is in a latched compartment, ie glove box. You also must inform an officer immediately if you are pulled over that the weapon is in the vehicle.
They finally figured it out. Wow! You want to stop crime, put the criminals behind bars. Possession, to me, is a slam dunk. We arrested you, you had a weapon, you were not allowed to have a weapon, you knew you were not allowed to have a weapon, you go to jail.
Billy M, typed the words I thought while reading, stating (with an important pair of ‘WE’ inserted)…… “They finally figured it out. Wow! You want to stop crime, put the criminals behind bars. Possession, to me, is a slam dunk.
We arrested you,
you had a weapon,
WE disallowed you to have a weapon,
WE knew you were not allowed to have a weapon,
you go to jail.”
My slam-dunk is those who fail to enforce or release criminals should be in adjacent cells. That is a breach of sworn duty. But, no censure, firings, sentencing, demotions, or a thing removing them from public service.
So, why on earth do Lib’s campaign under guise of ‘common sense’, when applying statutes, ordinances, and laws should be effective?
A reasonable hypothesis finds they utilize criminal activity to hold their seats, compared to curing a plague, one case at a time.
Very important to those who won’t get a real job.