Rick Daniel
Member
Our CWP recognition bill passed a key judiciary subcommittee today on a unanimous vote. The bill (H.3110) was amended at the request of Grass Roots South Carolina (GRSC) and SLED. The new version basically restores SLED as the approving authority for reciprocal agreements. Our original bill removed SLED from the picture and established SC as a pure recognition state.
The change was needed in order to allow SLED to enter agreements with certain states that require such. GOSC accepted the change since it was in keeping with our goal of increasing the value of South Carolina issued CWPs. This change actually increases even further the number of states that will recognize our permits. Clearly, this is a positive change.
At the hearing GRSC’s Rob Butler voiced concerns that SLED might later want to require a minimum training level for states we will recognize. Subcommittee chairman Rep. Murrell Smith (R), Sumter agreed with these concerns and promised to oppose any such efforts. Smith said he had taken the CWP class and that the training was largely unnecessary.
Earlier Rep. Mike Pitts (R), Laurens, a former policeman and the primary sponsor of H.3110, pointed out that even advanced training is no guarantee. He said that legally armed citizens are often safer than fully trained law enforcement officers. Pitts recounted several incidents he witnessed including officers who accidentally shot themselves.
A special thanks to NRA, GOSC, and GRSC members who attended the subcommittee meeting in support of H.3110. Also, a BIG thanks to the nearly three dozen cosponsors of our bill. We appreciate your support.
H.3110 now moves to the full judiciary in approximately two weeks. Please continue contacting House members in support of this important measure.
The change was needed in order to allow SLED to enter agreements with certain states that require such. GOSC accepted the change since it was in keeping with our goal of increasing the value of South Carolina issued CWPs. This change actually increases even further the number of states that will recognize our permits. Clearly, this is a positive change.
At the hearing GRSC’s Rob Butler voiced concerns that SLED might later want to require a minimum training level for states we will recognize. Subcommittee chairman Rep. Murrell Smith (R), Sumter agreed with these concerns and promised to oppose any such efforts. Smith said he had taken the CWP class and that the training was largely unnecessary.
Earlier Rep. Mike Pitts (R), Laurens, a former policeman and the primary sponsor of H.3110, pointed out that even advanced training is no guarantee. He said that legally armed citizens are often safer than fully trained law enforcement officers. Pitts recounted several incidents he witnessed including officers who accidentally shot themselves.
A special thanks to NRA, GOSC, and GRSC members who attended the subcommittee meeting in support of H.3110. Also, a BIG thanks to the nearly three dozen cosponsors of our bill. We appreciate your support.
H.3110 now moves to the full judiciary in approximately two weeks. Please continue contacting House members in support of this important measure.
