Author: Merting

Robert was raised in the pine forests of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. He is a graduate of Wofford College and received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Washington and Lee University. An avid hunter, shooting sports enthusiast and outdoorsman, Robert has built his law practice with a focus on firearms law and the legal structures required for the purchase and protection of firearms. Previously, he worked as in-house counsel to a large defense contractor, from which he brings a depth of business knowledge to his clients. Robert lives in the Upstate and practices law from his office in Greenville, South Carolina.

Pistol Packing Minor

Posted onSeptember 16, 2015October 14, 2015AuthorMerting

A minor is anyone under the age of 18 in South Carolina, and there are specific restrictions on ownership and possession of firearms by minors. As gun owners, we want to teach our children how to responsibly use firearms, and many children can be trusted with firearms long before reaching adulthood. However, we must also be Read More …

Moving and a Duty to Notify

Posted onSeptember 2, 2015AuthorMerting

Owners of registered firearms commonly ask about their duty to update paperwork and notify the ATF if they move. While there is some disagreement about the extent of the duty to notify the ATF, it is clear the ATF has been charged by Congress to keep a list of registered firearms including their location. 26 U.S.C. Read More …

Vehicle Carry in South Carolina

Posted onAugust 11, 2015August 11, 2015AuthorMerting

Where can I carry a pistol in my car is a common question I hear. As always, the first answer is it depends. State laws affect this right greatly, and for this article we will focus only on South Carolina law. It also makes a difference whether you have a Concealed Weapons Permit or the Read More …

Traffic Stops and Guns

Posted onJuly 27, 2015AuthorMerting

Earlier we examined what rights a person engaged in open carry has regarding stops by police. There I noted that a traffic stop is a bit different animal. A traffic stop starts with an observation by the police of a criminal infraction. The nature of that infraction is normally minor and the stop is not a Read More …

Open Carry and Constitutional Rights

Posted onJuly 2, 2015AuthorMerting

If you want to open carry a firearm, you best be polite. It also helps to know the law, your rights, and what to expect. To that end, we discuss Constitutional limitations on police actions where open carrying is legal. (NOTE: Not every police officer will know, recognize, and respect your Constitutional Rights. We all know Read More …