By Phil Leventis, special to Statehouse Report | If the bill on open carry of guns with restrictions is so very good, why not let people carry guns in the Statehouse and legislators’ home offices?
I was a senator for three decades and never felt so special that I couldn’t live with the laws everyone had to.
One Representative said “a concealed weapon doesn’t comfortably work with certain outfits.” It’s just silly pandering to a very small group.
If this idea is so popular, put it on a referendum in 2022 and identify the sponsors running for re-election.
Will our Supreme Court have to determine the difference between brandishing a gun versus simply making a fashion statement? Is wielding OK if brandishing isn’t?
California previously allowed open carry. In 1968, the Black Panthers, armed to the teeth, “stormed” the California statehouse demanding respect.
What they got was a Republican bill banning open carry which was signed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan in less than a week!
Michigan uncovered a plot to kidnap and kill the governor which was preceded by a heavily armed band entering their statehouse demanding changes in the law. Then President Trump suggested the governor negotiate with the armed protestors! Republicans took no action.
Law enforcement is opposed to open carry. Governor Henry McMaster was the chief prosecutor for federal and state governments here.
Governor, stand up. Show leadership. Simply say open carry of guns is not in the interest of the common good of South Carolinians. Say you are opposed to open carry.
Phil Leventis is a former Democratic state senator from Sumter. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
“Open carry” makes it sound like something other than “bearing arms.” The Constitution is pretty clear on our right to “keep” AND (not to be confused with owning) “bear” arms. It’s my view that concealed carry is more dangerous than open carry – at least this way you can see who has the guns when you go to church.