A bill allowing any citizen eighteen and older to carry a loaded handgun openly with no permit has been signed into law. Governor Henry McMaster signed the “constitutional carry” bill Thursday afternoon.
Earlier this week the House passed the bill 86-33. The Senate approved Wednesday 28 to 18. The bill does not significantly alter the current laws for Concealed Carry under the Open Carry with Training Act.
SLED will issue concealed weapon permits with proof of training which lawmakers hope to incentivize by offering no-cost gun safety courses twice a month in every county.
The new law will also increases penalties for anyone convicted of committing a crime while using a stolen firearm. Guns will remain prohibited in the same spaces they are now including schools, courthouses and government buildings.
