COLOMBIA, SC (AP) – A bill that would allow people to carry guns without hiding them in South Carolina is being passed in plenary.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the so-called open arms carry for people who already hold a gun carry permit by 16 votes to 8 on Tuesday.
South Carolina is one of five states without open transport, joining atypical partners such as California, Florida, Illinois and New York.
The committee ignored Democrats’ amendments that would remove the gun ban at the Statehouse and refine gun rules at public events like festivals.
The bill is enthusiastically supported by many Republicans and conservatives, who said it makes sense to allow people to carry the weapons they already have in a visible holster. Laws against pointing a gun at someone or threatening someone with a gun without a legal reason would remain in the books.
Some law enforcement leaders are not so happy with the bill, saying they fear more armed violence and domestic murders in a state that tends to be among the worst in the country. They said open transport could make fights turn into shootings more quickly and make it harder for law enforcement officers to identify who is committing a crime and who is not, if there are more armed people.