Law enforcement share concerns on permitless gun law

BERKELEY COUNTY S.C. (WCBD)–Law enforcement agencies in the Lowcountry are concerned after Governor Henry McMaster passed a law allowing gun owners to carry firearms openly without a permit.

The new law is currently in effect and allows anyone above 18 to openly carry a handgun without any training or registration except in some places like schools, churches, and hospitals. Many law enforcement agencies are concerned about the possibility of more guns on the streets without the required education that comes with getting a permit.

“What we would’ve hoped for would’ve been more with training and more with some background checks. As it’s written now, any 18-year-old can carry a firearm if they don’t have a conviction for a crime in South Carolina, and that was our biggest concern. The lack of training because they’re missing those opportunities to understand what stand your ground means,” said Kevin Cornett.

While education for gun carriers will no longer be required under the new law, many local law enforcement agencies have said they will increase education for the personnel sworn to enforce the law.

“My philosophy is the more education and training you have, the better prepared you are to face the challenges or the situation or circumstances that you may be forced with, and we try to prepare deputies for every encounter and every situation,” said Duane Lewis, Berkeley County Sheriff.

The law also makes it so that people do not have to disclose to law enforcement that they are carrying a firearm, which is one of many aspects of the law that has law enforcement agencies concerned about the safety of their personnel.

Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano wrote in a statement saying.

“Permitless carry will complicate the work that law enforcement officers do daily. It puts my deputies at a tactical disadvantage, and we must adjust our training. The delicate balance of navigating personal rights versus legitimate risks has become even more muddied.”

The law provides monthly firearms training free of charge to all South Carolinians, a provision that law enforcement officials encourage all gun owners to take advantage of.