Governor praises General Assembly on SC permitless carry compromise

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - Gov. Henry McMaster praised the General Assembly Wednesday afternoon after the state Senate approved a compromise to allow anyone who can legally own a gun in South Carolina to carry one in public.

The bill, known as the permitless carry or constitutional carry bill, passed the senate in a 28-18 vote. The South Carolina House approved the compromise Tuesday in an 86-33 vote. Both votes were largely, but not totally, along party lines.

In their agreement, the bill would allow adults 18 and older to carry loaded handguns openly with no permit or training.

Wednesday’s Senate vote sets the bill on a path that could land it on McMaster’s desk as early as Thursday.

McMaster praised the inclusion of his top request: strict increased penalties for illegal gun use and possession by criminals who aren’t legally allowed to carry a gun.

“Today, the General Assembly has taken an important step toward closing the ‘revolving door’ for career violent criminals,” he said in a statement. “Now, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges can keep career violent criminals behind bars where they belong, where they can no longer hurt innocent South Carolinians.”

Guns would still be banned in the same places they are now, including schools, courthouses, and the State House, and people could still obtain a concealed weapons permit if they wanted.

McMaster has said in the past he will sign the bill into law.