The SC Senate has formed a five senator sub-committee to travel to the state and solicit citizen input on gun control. The effort is being driven by Senator Marlon E. Kimpson and chaired by Senator Gerald Malloy. Both are Democrats from the I-95 belt to coastal SC.
The sub-committee is rounded out by three Republicans. Chip Campsen from Charleston, Chauncey Gregory from Lancaster, and Greg Hembree from Horry.
Unfortunately the sub-committee has not a single member sporting an 864 area code for home and only one member outside of the 843 area code. The committee is truly coastal centric, and that does not bode well for firearm rights.
An Agenda ?
Senator Kimpson has made gun control his personal agenda after the murder of fellow Senator Pinckney. At one point he had dozens of amendments pending against a pro-gun bill trying to prevent its passage and has sponsored several other gun control bills. As part of a compromise to pass said pro-gun bill without amendment, Senator Larry Martin agreed to form this sub-committee to study gun control in SC. Since that time, Senator L. Martin has been defeated in the Republican primary but not before he was able to form the sub-committee.
Senator Malloy introduced a couple of gun control bills last year including one to extend the waiting period for delayed purchases to 28 days.
The Republican Senators at best have been neutral on gun control. Senators Hembree and Campsen have both recently supported some gun control measures in the Senate, though their stances are more moderate than either of the Democrats. Senator Gregory voted against the last constitutional carry bill that came in front of the Senate.
What to Expect
There are four public hearings to be held by the sub-committee. Each will last for two hours. Citizens will be able to sign up to speak at the door, typically on a first come – first served basis, and those who sign up typically can speak for three to five minutes. Speakers will address the five Senators directly and in front of all who attend the meeting. If you choose to speak, do not be surprised to hear some cheering or jeering from the audience, and I encourage all who attend to be polite. Notes are allowed, and I suggest the same if you want to speak without getting off topic.
Locations and Times
All meetings will be held from 6 to 8 PM.
Greenville, SC – Greenville County Council Chambers | September 15, 2016.
Charleston, SC – College of Charleston’s Stern Center | October 3, 2016
Hartsville, SC – Coker College’s Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center | October 18, 2016
Columbia, SC – Senate Gressette Building | October 27, 2016
The Official Full Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2016
______________________________________________________________________________
Columbia, S.C. – Senator Gerald Malloy, Darlington, Chairman of the Senate’s Gun Issues Special Committee, announces the dates and locations of public hearings across South Carolina to hear from interested persons about gun issues.
Senator Malloy stated, “The Committee will take a comprehensive look at gun issues in South Carolina and the Committee is looking forward to receiving input from citizens across the State.”
The first public hearing will take place in Greenville, on September 15, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Greenville County Council Chambers. The second public hearing will take place in Charleston, on October 3, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the College of Charleston’s Stern Center. The third public hearing will take place in Hartsville, on October 18, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Coker College’s Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center. The final public hearing will take place in Columbia, on October 27, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Senate Gressette Building.
The public is encouraged to attend the public hearings and provide testimony and input on gun issues in South Carolina.
The other committee members are Senator George E. “Chip” Campsen, III, Senator Chauncey K. Gregory, Senator Greg Hembree, and Senator Marlon E. Kimpson.
Senator Gerald Malloy J. J. Gentry, Staff Attorney
(803) 212-6172 (Columbia Office) (803) 212-6306
(843) 339-3000 (Hartsville Office)