NEWS BRIEFS: 39 GOP state lawmakers pen letter opposing ‘red flag’ laws

By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent  | As President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, both Republicans, signal warmth for so-called “red flag” laws to curb gun violence, 39 state Republican lawmakers signed a letter opposing laws that would make it easier for law enforcement to seize weapons from people thought to be a harm to themselves or others.

Instead, they urge Congress to address the “real issue” of gun-free zones.  Read the letter. 

“The overwhelming majority of mass shootings (over 94 percent) occur in ‘gun-free zones.’ While law-abiding citizens actually follow the law, mass murderers do not. This, of course, makes the law-abiding citizens vulnerable in ‘gun-free zones,’” the letter states. 

Congress and the president have been urged to act on curbing violent mass shootings in the wake of several high-profile incidents this summer.

• Previous coverage: In South Carolina, citizens hope for legislative action, more public prayer. 

 This month, Graham announced he would introduce a “red flag” law that would create a federal grant program to help law enforcement work with mental health professionals to take action when needed, while ensuring “robust due process and judicial review.” He said it would allow local law enforcement to act before another mass shooting event.

But the state Republican lawmakers said such a bill would be “abused and used to target law-abiding citizens.” 

“Absent the institutionalization of disturbed individuals, the person presenting actual threats to society will remain a threat after their firearms are removed,” the letter stated. “‘Red flag’ laws erode the very cornerstones of our country, the right to keep and bear arms and due process.”

Here are the GOP lawmakers who signed, in order that they appear on the letter:

• S.C. House members: Jonathon D. Hill, Stewart O. Jones, Josiah Magnuson, Ashley B. Trantham, Craig A. Gagnon, Mike Burns, Patrick B. Haddon, Jason Elliott, Bill Chumley, Garry R. Smith, Steven W. Long, Tommy M. Stringer, Chip Huggins, David R. Hiott,  Anne J. Thayer, Mark N. Willis, Bobby J. Cox, Cal Forrest, Rick Martin, Heather Ammons Crawford, Chris Wooten, Nancy Mace, John R. McCravy III, Alan D. Clemmons, Mandy W. Kimmons, Bill Herbkersman, Melissa Oremus (unopposed Republican nominee for District 84),  Bill Taylor, Steve Moss, Rita Allison, Sylleste Davis, Bill Hixon, and Adam Morgan.
• S.C. senators: Rex F. Rice, Danny Verdin, Larry Grooms, Richard J. Cash, Wes Climer, and Tom Corbin.

In other state news:

Senate panel reviews abortion restrictions. A Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee has set a four-hour meeting for 10 a.m. Sept. 10 in room 105 of the Gressette building to review House bill 3020, which would prohibit abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Agenda. 

More abortion news for S.C. State Attorney General Alan Wilson joined 18 other state attorneys general this week defending the right of states to prohibit abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The brief, filed Tuesday with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, supports the constitutionality of North Carolina’s 20-week ban, and therefore other states with similar bans, like South Carolina. Read the brief. 

Charter school funding examined. The House Education and Public Works Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Charter Schools will review an Education Oversight Committee report on charter school funding systems 1 p.m. Sept. 9 in room 433 of the Blatt building. Agenda. 

Oversight panel to review two state agencies. The Legislative Oversight Committee will discuss two studies looking at the Housing Finance and Development Authority and the Rural Infrastructure Authority 10 a.m. Sept. 9 in room 110 of the Blatt building. Agenda. 

Climate ‘strike’ set in S.C. cities. At least two Climate Strike events are slated in South Carolina Sept. 20 to coincide with a worldwide event promoting climate change policies. Columbia will hold a strike at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 20 at 1100 Gervais St. and Greenville will hold a strike at noon Sept. 20 at Greenville City Hall. The strike coincides with strikes in other cities, three days before the United Nations’ Climate Summit in New York City. More info. 

2020 candidate calendar

Throughout the campaign season, we are working to keep South Carolina informed of candidate events in the state. Have an event you want us to know about? Email us at 2020news@statehousereport.com. 

Sept. 12 Democratic debate lineup set. The Democratic National Committee has announced that 10 candidates will face off in Houston Sept. 12. The debate will air on ABC News.  Find local debate watch parties here. 

More head to stump.  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio are the latest Democratic presidential candidates to confirm they’ll participate in the Sept. 16 Galivants Ferry Stump meeting.  They’ll join former Vice President Joe Biden, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.  The event starts at 5 p.m. and will be moderated by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.  

Blue Jamboree.  Thousands are expected to attend the all0day Oct. 5 Blue Jamboree held by the Charleston County Democratic Party at The Bend, 3775 Azalea Drive, in North Charleston. Sponsors of the event include these presidential candidates:  Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Tom Steyer, Cory Booker, Andrew Yang, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Bennet, Tulsi Gabbard and Julian Castro. Tickets are $20 now.

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