UPI - Gun ownership up sharply in South Carolina

[Slowpoke_Rodrigo]

STORY

Sunday, 21 May 2000 21:39 (ET)

Gun ownership up sharply in South Carolina


COLUMBIA, S.C., May 21 (UPI) -- The number of concealed weapons permits
issued by the state of South Carolina rose 19-fold after the state dropped a
requirement that applicants must first demonstrate a "need" to carry a
hidden gun, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Records indicate the State Law Enforcement Division has approved 25,407
concealed weapons permits since state law was liberalized in 1995, The State
newspaper said. Only 1,233 permits were issued prior to the law being
changed.

The newspaper said 6.5 of every 1,000 South Carolina residents is now
registered to carry a concealed weapon - or the equivalent of every resident
of the city of Myrtle Beach walking around armed.

Permit holders must first pass a proficiency test and are not allowed to
bring guns into bars, churches or public places that post signs.

Rick Daniel, a spokesman for the Gun Owners of South Carolina, which has
about 1,000 members, claimed the increased number of permits has contributed
to a 7-percent drop in violent crime in the state.

"I think criminals know," Daniel told the newspaper. "They don't want to
get hurt any more than you or I. They look for the easy pickings."

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader John Land, who opposed the measure
in 1995, agreed with Daniel that crime statistics also show that no one
holding a concealed-weapon permit has been involved in a shooting since the
law was changed.

"I'm greatly surprised that that many South Carolinians would feel the
need to carry a pistol," Land said.

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Slowpoke Rodrigo...he pack a gon...

I voted for the Neal Knox 13

I'll see you at the TFL End Of Summer Meet!

 

[Jim V]

Land "I'm greatly surprised that many South Carolinians would feel theneed to cary a pistol." Since he most likely has state provided body guards or can aford to hire them, of course he would not feel the need himself to carry a pistol.

I wonder just how many politicians would be against carry permits or Vermont type carry if they were barred from using any public monies to provide for their security, i.e. "The State of South Carolinia ain't gonna pay anyone to protect you no more. YOU are responsible for your own safety from here out."

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

 

[Oleg Volk]

Actually, arms ownership may well have not changed...just more people admitted to owning carry weapons. Me, I ain't never seen no guns round here, no siree!

 

[G50AE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>"I'm greatly surprised that that many South Carolinians would feel the need to carry a pistol" Land Said[/quote]

Obviously he does not know what it is like being a bisexual pagan, or anyone else the Kristians do not like, in the state of SC. What state does this guy live in anyway?

 

[Jeff Thomas]

I'm sure Land is also 'greatly surprised' that crime is down, and not up. But, he's unlikely to admit that, since it doesn't fit within the bounds of his gun bigotry.

Regards from AZ

 

[45King]

Land is a fool and an idiot. He was the chief opposition to the shall issue law, and he tried to trot out that old idea of "blood in the streets over minor traffic accidents." It was a pleasure to watch him squirm when he was pinned on this; someone pointed out to him that under then (and still) existing law in SC, a loaded handgun in the glovebox or console is perfectly legal without a permit of any kind. Why would the issuance of concealed carry permits increase incidents of motorist violence if motorists could already have a handgun readily available? He couldn't answer that one, but kept insisting it would happen.
Idiot. If he had no brains, he'd have more than he currently does.

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Shoot straight & make big holes, regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center