Changing the state laws

[MDMadrid]

I would like to know what I can do to get some of the laws changed in my state (South Carolina) regarding concealed carry. The main law I would like to see changed is this one:

SECTION 16 23 465. Additional penalty for unlawfully carrying pistol or firearm into business selling alcoholic liquors, beers or wines for on premises consumption.

In addition to the penalties provided for by Sections 16 11 330 and 16 23 460 and by Article 1 of Chapter 23 of Title 16, a person convicted of carrying a pistol or firearm into a business which sells alcoholic liquor, beer, or wine for consumption on the premises is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
In addition to the penalties described above, a person who violates this section while carrying a concealable weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, must have his concealed weapon permit revoked

I would like to see this changed to one like they have in Wyoming:

Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic liquor and malt beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose;

Does anybody have any suggestions for me on who to contact first and how to get started? Have any of you been able to get the laws changed in your state? Any thought out suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Contact the NRA and see who is out there in your neck of the woods. Look for friends of the NRA.
Contact your state representitive. Do you have a Senate and an Assembly?

Get the phone book out and look in the yellow pages for gov officials.

Check with your local FFL.

We are going thru this now, the best way is to STOP them before they become law.

Vick

 

[Geronimo45]

Phone calls are easy, emails are easier - writing a letter is not so easy. Politicos tend to read snail-mail letters more often than listen to phone calls or read emails, from what I understand. Type up a letter on the computer, print it up, and send it in. Meet with your officials, if you can - and if you do, bring a paper outlining your arguments and hand it to 'em, that way when you leave, they'll have a hard copy of why you came and what you'd like them to do. Best of luck!

 

[Car Knocker]

I would like to see this changed to one like they have in Wyoming:


Quote:
Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic liquor and malt beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose;

Why have any alcohol-serving establishment restrictions at all? To what avail?

 

[Phenom]

Alcohol effects everyone differently. Some people are happy drunks, some people get ill after drinking, and there are mean drunks. Indians get riled up real easy after having one too many. My father Fubared his last wife and then tried to fry her by catching her house on fire.

 

[Car Knocker]

So you make it illegal to drink and carry. It's no different than drinking and driving, except that CCW'ers seem to be a lot more responsible. The states that allow CCW in bars and other places that serve a lot of alcohol don't seem to have any problems with drunks shooting up the place.

 

[Phenom]

Dude, chill the heck out. I gave you the real reason why they don't like firearms in nasty bars. I didn't say I agreed with it, did I? Never been in a bar and don't plan too either.

 

[lacoochee]

I like Florida's take on this

No carry in bars, but you can carry in a restaurant that has a bar as long as you stay out of the bar area. What y'all really need in South Carolina is to give SLED a kick in the tail pipe and have them sign reciprocity agreements with the rest of the South, y'all are gumming up the works. I look forward to the day that a Southerner can carry his sidearm anywhere for the protecion of kith and kin.

 

[Car Knocker]

It appears that I'm not the one that needs to chill out. Your biases are showing. And I am just as entitled to voice my opinion on the subject as you are. And I shall.

 

[lacoochee]

So much for discussing the issue at hand

Why can't we all just get along? Lol. :banghead:

 

[Car Knocker]

I'm certainly willing to discuss the issue at hand.

Based on my own observations, I see no need to limit CCW in establishments that serve or sell alcohol. I do think that CCW while intoxicated should be subject to legal sanctions; that should suffice.

By the way, as a diabetic, I don't drink (perhaps a small part of a glass at dinner a couple times a year to be sociable) and don't really have a personal stake in the issue.

 

[Geronimo45]

Basically an extention of the drunk-driving laws - being drunk increases your chance of doing something stupid, so you're in trouble for increasing your statistical chance of being an idiot.

 

[wdlsguy]

GrassRoots South Carolina

Gun Owners of South Carolina

 

[MDMadrid]

Thanks

Thank you

wdlsguy

I went to the "gun owners of South Carolina" web site and found this legislation to have passed in 2006!

H4681 is the "New Orleans/Emergency Powers" bill that Representative Mike Pitts (R-14) initiated on our behalf earlier this year. Under Mike's bill, local governments would not be able to restrict the use, sale, or transportation of firearms during a state of emergency. This became necessary after New Orleans officials began confiscating guns and restricting their use following Hurricane Katrina. Now, in the event of an disaster like a hurricane, South Carolinians need not fear similar encroachment of our Second Amendment rights.

H4301 is the "Castle Doctrine" bill also spearheaded by Rep. Pitts. This new law essentially removes the "duty to retreat" when a citizen is attacked anywhere that person may lawfully be. In other words, if they have a right to be there, they can stand their ground. This is a major change and a great addition to our self-defense rights.

Thanks again to all of your suggestions, they are very helpful!

 

[RealGun]

I think the gun people in SC have that covered, but good luck on finding anyone who wants anything from you but a salute and a check.