Guns & Roses

Campus Carry Bill:

The Facts: Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) holders would be able to carry on college and public school campuses under this bill. To obtain a CWP in South Carolina, one must be 21 years old, undergo both a criminal and mental health background check, and take an 8 hour firearm safety & carry law class. The CWP law has been on the books in the Palmetto State for over 10 years with over 53,000 permits issued. Not a single incident has been reported of a CWP holder being involved in a crime with a firearm here in South Carolina.

Why not let responsible adults who take the steps to obtain a CWP carry a firearm for personal protection, protection of private property or protection of others carry on campus? Some argue that we shouldn't have concealed weapons on campus, as college kids have a tendency to act irresponsibly. Well, first-off, we are talking about 21 year-olds (so probably Seniors, right) who would be showing some responsibility if they went through the steps to obtain a CWP. And let's be honest folks: If a college kid was going to use a gun on a teacher who gave him/her a bad grade, you think they are going to go through the trouble to obtain a CWP? Breaking the law is breaking the law.

Let's debate this issue and see what comes of it. From where I am sitting, any law which infringes on my right to keep and bear arms is unconstitutional, so I would wager that the current laws are unconstitutional. But someone would have to challenge the existing laws in order to get the High Court to rule as to the constitutionality. Here is a GREAT article in US News & World Report: www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070429/7barone.htm

Enough of the sensationalizing of the issue, juxtaposed against the sensationalizing of the VT massacre. We are looking for a solution so that South Carolina citizens can protect themselves, other citizens and their property. In other words, their Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.