Staff reports | South Carolina leaders are reacting with a mix of grief, anger, frustration and compassion in the wake of a deadly school shooting Tuesday afternoon in Texas. At least 19 children and two adults were shot and killed by an 18-year-old gunman in Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. It was the deadliest school shooting since the infamous Sandy Hook massacre almost a decade ago.
“We witness these shootings again and again, and nothing ever changes,” Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham tweeted. “I’m devastated for the people of Uvalde as they deal with the unthinkable. But I’m also angry. Angry at the politics around this issue and the politicians who stand in the way of doing anything to solve it.”
Shootings also continued in South Carolina. Seven were injured early Monday by gunfire at the Blue Note Bistro in North Charleston. Four teens died over last weekend in two different shootings near Newberry. A 6-year-old also was shot in Orangeburg County.
While Democrats have plans to combat gun violence, Republican counterparts, including S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., offered thoughts and prayers on social media, but no plans for action.
“Psalm 34 tells us that the Lord is near to the broken hearted,” tweeted Scott. “I was devastated to learn of the children and teacher senselessly murdered today in Texas. Please join me in lifting up their families in prayer.”
McMaster tweeted, “Please join Peggy and me in praying for the Uvalde community, the faculty and staff at Robb Elementary, and for the families of the victims of today’s tragedy.”
S.C. Rep. J.A. Moore, D-Charleston, said too few set the political agenda for everyone.
“Even though it disgusts me — and makes me sick to my stomach — I am not frustrated. I am motivated. I’m resolved. No matter how much pain I am in right now, I’m focused. I’m ready to fight.”
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., struck a different tone from the general Republican talking points. On Tuesday, he said he welcomed debate over what these steps should look like.
“Hopefully, over time, we will have a better understanding of what led to these senseless acts,” he wrote on Twitter. “As to what to do next, I welcome a debate in the U.S. Senate about any and all measures that my colleagues believe will have an effect. Let’s debate and vote.”
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-Columbia, said the time for action was long overdue. U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has reportedly taken a procedural step needed to bring Clyburn’s bill — the Enhanced Background Checks Act – to the Senate floor. Clyburn’s bill seeks to finally close the Charleston loophole that allows those who would go on to be mass shooters to legally purchase firearms by extending background check deadlines.
Meanwhile, S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, continues to push a bill to allow the installation of metal detectors in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as athletic venues across the state.
In other recent news:
Busy storm season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting above-normal Atlantic hurricane activity for the coming hurricane season, which starts June 1. NOAA projected a 70% probability of 14 to 21 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes.
McMaster signs bill to expand women’s access to birth control. McMaster on Monday signed a measure that would make birth control pills available without a prescription as a way to help women avoid unwanted pregnancies that could lead to abortions.
McMaster signs policing standards law. Two years after the death of George Floyd that sparked national outrage over policing tactics, McMaster on May 23 signed into law a bill requiring police agencies across South Carolina to abide by minimum standards on tactics such as chokeholds and bans putting an untrained officer on duty alone.
S.C. lawmakers negotiating over $1 billion in state budget. S.C. lawmakers are negotiating a big gap between the House and Senate versions of the state budget as the state’s economy continues to do better than predicted.
Committee OKs Childs for DC appellate court. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted 17-5 to approve S.C. jurist Michelle Childs’ nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Among those who voted for her was South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham. The nomination now goes to the full Senate for a vote.
S.C. water laws weak, EPA says, endangering streams, wildlife. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking aim at a landmark South Carolina law that was touted as a way to protect rivers, but in reality has allowed massive water withdrawals.
Mace, Arrington in dramatic debate. It was a given Monday night that a congressional debate among three Republicans fighting to win the party’s nomination would be dramatic. And yes, there were jeers, hoots and hollering. But few expected one of the candidates, longshot Lynz Piper-Loomis, to throw support immediately to challenger Katie Arrington and leave the stage with flair.
Former Beaufort mayor in boating accident. Former Beaufort Mayor and S.C. Rep. Billy Keyserling, injured Saturday in a boating accident, has been hospitalized. The former mayor reportedly was severely injured but reportedly “recovering well.”
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