*** GrassRoots Action Alert ***

[Red Hat]

I've been under the weather or a few days and just checked my email. I called my senators and they are in session now. I'm not sure they are going to bring this up today or not. Please call your senator anyway.


It is crunch time for H. 3212, the concealed weapon permit (CWP) recognition/reciprocity bill that has been awaiting Senate action since March 26, 2008, when the House refused to concur with the Senate amendment just as GrassRoots GunRights asked them to refuse to do.

The Senate version of H. 3212 is completely unacceptable to gun owners. GrassRoots GunRights provided a detailed analysis of the Senate amendment to H. 3212 to every member of the House in a letter dated March 24, 2008. The GrassRoots analysis - which is repeated below - exposes exactly why the Senate amendment would make South Carolina CWP law worse than existing law. Interestingly, the Senate amendment would change the law so drastically that South Carolina could not even get reciprocity with itself! The Senate version of H. 3212 should be opposed by all pro gun rights supporters!

Multiple independent practicing pro gun rights attorneys have read the GrassRoots analysis of the Senate version of H. 3212, and all have agreed the GrassRoots analysis is legally sound (their letters of agreement can be found on the GrassRoots web site). Not a single independent practicing pro gun rights attorney has found fault with the GrassRoots analysis of H. 3212.

Call your senator and tell them "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me on H. 3212!" Use the Senate switchboard (803) 212-6200, or use the individual office numbers listed here. Current GrassRoots Action Alert

[SCjeeper]

Thanks Red Hat for keeping us up to date. Time for a phone call again.

[MufDady]

Time for a Phone call too.............. Thanks agian Red Hat .............

[FN1910]

From my understanding the Senate version of H 3212 has passed both the House and Senate and is being sent to the Govenor. I am not sure of the exact procedures and terms. I suspect that SLED will follow through with their promises on this because it is the version they wanted and if they don't in the next session they won't have a leg to stand on trying to fight the full recognition version. I expect the Govenor to sign it but if he doesn't I doubt that they will override his veto.

For reference:

Valid out-of-state permits to carry concealable weapons held by a resident of a reciprocal state must be honored by this State, provided, that the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a criminal background check and a course in firearm training and safety. A resident of a reciprocal state carrying a concealable weapon in South Carolina is subject to and must abide by the laws of South Carolina regarding concealable weapons. SLED shall maintain and publish a list of those states as the states with which South Carolina has reciprocity.

[HK4U]

Thanks for the heads up.

[Red Hat]

The House passed the Senate version of the bill today. However reading the final version it doesn't look ilke they changed anything. Read the 06/06/08 bill here. 2007-2008 Bill 3212 Text of Previous Version (Jun. 5, 2008) - www.scstatehouse.net - LPITS


SECTION 1. Section 23-31-215(N) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 347 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"(N) Valid out-of-state permits to carry concealable weapons held by a resident of a reciprocal state must be honored by this State, provided, that the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a criminal background check and a course in firearm training and safety. A resident of a reciprocal state carrying a concealable weapon in South Carolina is subject to and must abide by the laws of South Carolina regarding concealable weapons. SLED Line struck out shall make a determination as to those states which have permit issuance standards equal to or greater than the standards contained in this article and end of struck out line shall maintain and publish a list of those states as the states with which South Carolina has reciprocity."


I hope this is not their final version and someone put up the wrong one. We'll see in a day or so.

[FN1910]

That is the final version and has been enrolled for ratification.

[Red Hat]

The Senate bill didn't have this in it.

reciprocal state must be honored by this State, provided, that the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a criminal background check and a course in firearm training and safety.

They were wanting to allow all states with permits to be reciprocal with SC. That was what the back and fourth was about. That means FL and GA still won't be on the list! Other than taking the decision out of the hands of SLED I don't see where we have gained anything. Plus it doesn't say who makes the decision now just that SLED must maintain the reciprocal list.

[FN1910]

Originally Posted by Red Hat

The Senate bill didn't have this in it. They were wanting to allow all states with permits to be reciprocal with SC. That was what the back and fourth was about. That means FL and GA still won't be on the list! Other than taking the decision out of the hands of SLED I don't see where we have gained anything. Plus it doesn't say who makes the decision now just that SLED must maintain the reciprocal list.

You mean the House version did not have that in it. The one that was passed was the Senate version that was originally passed byt the Senate on March 20 but then rejected by the house. SLED says that this version will add FL, CO, NE, NV and MN to th list of states that will recognize SC permits and add Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming to the list of states that SC will honor.

The problem with the hose bill was that it removed reciprocity completely from the statutes. If a state required a reciprocal agreement SC could not grant it. The House version was great for other states but not for SC residents.

[blume357@]

As I read the above post that means we will recognize Florida's permit.... this is a good thing and one of my most wanted. I've got several friends in Florida who would like to carry in S.C.

Now for the big question.... does this mean just resident permits or would a Florida non resident also be accepted?

I went back up and re-read it and see it specifically says a resident of the state....