Why Do People Say South Carolina is Gun Friendly?

[Sam1911]

In these states do you have to declare carrying a knife before entering a dwelling?

No, but I do believe the law says you must inform the owner of your intent to assault, rape, or murder someone.

 

[X-Rap]

No, but I do believe the law says you must inform the owner of your intent to assault, rape, or murder someone.

I'm sure that works much like the "duty to inform" laws that require those who shoot cops during traffic stops to declare that they have a gun in the car.
The same kind of false security that GFZ's afford.

 

[Theohazard]

Some of you have no problem living in a state that requires UBC on private sales
[...]
Doesn't look to me like Theo has a problom with UBC. Because it's unenforceable? How long till the "loophole" is corrected?

It's not often that someone's posts on THR make me so angry that I can't see straight. But yours did.

Don't even begin to try to put words in my mouth. I absolutely hate the fact that I'm now a criminal. That's right, most gun owners in WA are now criminals even though we've never sold a gun without a background check since this law passed. And that makes me sick.

I tried to convince everyone I know not to vote for this law. I know some acquaintances who I'm pretty sure did vote for it, and I have a hard time talking to them now. I've always prided myself on following every gun law to the T, but I'm not going to drive to a gun shop to pay for a background check every time I want to simply show a friend a gun. So now I'm a gun criminal.

Jim in Anchorage, don't you dare say that I have no problem with UBCs. You have absolutly no right to put words in my mouth that I never said. Go back and actually read what I wrote: Nobody is actually enforcing this law. Currently it's not actually objectionable in reality -- only in principle -- and that's because nobody is enforcing it. Of course that could change, and of course that doesn't mean I "have no problem with UBCs", I'm simply stating the reality of the law as it currently sits.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

It's not often that someone's posts on THR make me so angry that I can't see straight. But yours did.

Don't even begin to try to put words in my mouth. I absolutely hate the fact that I'm now a criminal. That's right, most gun owners in WA are now criminals even though we've never sold a gun without a background check since this law passed. And that makes me sick.

I tried to convince everyone I know not to vote for this law. I know some acquaintances who I'm pretty sure did vote for it, and I have a hard time talking to them now. I've always prided myself on following every gun law to the T, but I'm not going to drive to a gun shop to pay for a background check every time I want to simply show a friend a gun. So now I'm a gun criminal.

Jim in Anchorage, don't you dare say that I have no problem with UBCs. You have absolutly no right to put words in my mouth that I never said. Go back and actually read what I wrote: Nobody is actually enforcing this law. Currently it's not actually objectionable in reality -- only in principle -- and that's because nobody is enforcing it. Of course that could change, and of course that doesn't mean I "have no problem with UBCs", I'm simply stating the reality of the law as it currently sits.

Sorry if I misinterpreted what you wrote. But when I read "but I can tell you it's only objectionable in principle and not in reality." I may have thought you had no real problem with it.
Maybe I'm the one who's touchy here. It's just that [and not just on this thread, but for years] I have had people tell me Alaska's notify laws are horrible. How dare anyone from a UBC state tell me that?
UBC can only lead to one thing, 100% regestration.

 

[Red Wind]

Maybe I'm the one who's touchy here. It's just that [and not just on this thread, but for years] I have had people tell me Alaska's notify laws are horrible. How dare anyone from a UBC state tell me that?
UBC can only lead to one thing, 100% regestration.

Jim, I would love to have Alaska's permitless carry here in Florida. You're miles ahead of us there. However, we're just pointing out that states that have homeowner and LEO notification laws are behind the curve. That those laws are severe gun control restrictions.

It's Christmas in just three days. Can we all settle back and lower our temperature's? I'll start right now!

 

[aeriedad]

Thread Summary:

A: "Sure, my state has some things we should change, but they're no big deal. Your state though...OMG...not gun friendly at all."

B: "Nuh-uh. My state is fine; yours is bad."

A: "No way."

B: "Yes way."

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Jim, I would love to have Alaska's permitless carry here in Florida. You're miles ahead of us there. However, we're just pointing out that states that have homeowner and LEO notification laws are behind the curve. That those laws are severe gun control restrictions.

It's Christmas in just three days. Can we all settle back and lower our temperature's? I'll start right now!

Well I think it's a bit much to call them "severe". They don't effect me at all.
People can nitpick over meaningless laws all they wish but how many of you can open carry? I will sure never be arrested for "printing." I feel that law is outrageous, and a far more important issue than some notification deal.

 

[Red Wind]

A real shame. The Dove of the Olive Branch isn't working!

And we are down to 6 states that disallow open carry.

 

[whiskycut]

I grew up in S.C. left in 83. I now live in the free state of Al. The old man was a judge in Beaufort, when ever I wanted to come home to visit, he would tell me leave your pistol at home son load your shotgun and come on. Seems totally stupid, no it is stupid.The S.C. legislators seem to be terrified of a well armed law abiding citizenry. Look like they would welcome it

 

[Salmoneye]

People can nitpick over meaningless laws all they wish but how many of you can open carry?

(<===<<Vermonter)

Ooo...ooo!

Me...Me...!

UBC can only lead to one thing, 100% regestration.

And what difference does 'registration' make if you are forced by law to tell LEO's and property owners the instant you encounter them?

 

[jim in Anchorage]

And what difference does 'registration' make if you are forced by law to tell LEO's and property owners the instant you encounter them?

I was ready to drop this whole subject but I can't let this one go. You find no difference between having every gun you own recorded by make, model and serial # at a goverment agency and telling a homeowner you have a gun?
I can't win here.

 

[X-Rap]

6 states disallow OC but how many of them require a CC permit to do it?
How many states require notification?

 

[jim in Anchorage]

6 states disallow OC but how many of them require a CC permit to do it?
How many states require notification?

11 states require "permits" to open carry. And how hard is it to get these I don't know.

 

[X-Rap]

Costs money for sure.
I haven't looked at all the Constitutional carry states but it seems a few have more restrictions than if you go ahead and get a permit.
Either way carrying a Gun in any of the 50 states requires at least some political dance which is wrong IMO.

 

[Crayfish]

If you want to stay west Idaho, Montana and especially Wyoming are all very good 2A States as is South Dakota, Arizona, etc...

 

[Salmoneye]

I was ready to drop this whole subject but I can't let this one go. You find no difference between having every gun you own recorded by make, model and serial # at a goverment agency and telling a homeowner you have a gun?
I can't win here.

"AS 11.61.220. Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fifth Degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person

(1) is 21 years of age or older and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon,

(A) that is concealed on the person, and, when contacted by a peace officer, the person fails to

(i) immediately inform the peace officer of that possession; or

(ii) allow the peace officer to secure the deadly weapon, or fails to secure the weapon at the direction of the peace officer, during the duration of the contact;

http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter61/Section220.htm

When a LEO comes to your door and you are carrying inside your own dwelling, You MUST tell the LEO that you are armed and let him disarm you if he/she so wishes...

Seems to me that 'registration' should be the least of your worries when you are already disarmed?

 

[phillip69]

I lost my job of 15 years and now am planning on leaving the Pacific Northwest

Do these two comments go together?

Did you really loose your job 15 years ago and never got another job in all this time? Why?

I know slow and easy wins the race, but why did it take 15 years to decide to move?

To your question, perhaps a quicker way to compare different state gun laws would be to use one of the all state compare sites? Perhaps you should look at:

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_information.html

 

[aeriedad]

I lost my job of 15 years and now am planning on leaving the Pacific Northwest

Did you really loose your job 15 years ago and never got another job in all this time? Why?

I think OP is saying he's just lost the job he's had for the last 15 years.

To your question, perhaps a quicker way to compare different state gun laws would be to use one of the all state compare sites? Perhaps you should look at:
http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_information.html

Actually, I'm surprised nobody has suggested OP review those sites too. My preference is http://www.handgunlaw.us.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

"AS 11.61.220. Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fifth Degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person

(1) is 21 years of age or older and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon,

(A) that is concealed on the person, and, when contacted by a peace officer, the person fails to

(i) immediately inform the peace officer of that possession; or

(ii) allow the peace officer to secure the deadly weapon, or fails to secure the weapon at the direction of the peace officer, during the duration of the contact;

http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter61/Section220.htm

When a LEO comes to your door and you are carrying inside your own dwelling, You MUST tell the LEO that you are armed and let him disarm you if he/she so wishes...

Seems to me that 'registration' should be the least of your worries when you are already disarmed?

This is getting silly. At lest make the effort to read stuff you post.

(b) In a prosecution under (a)(6) of this section, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant, at the time of possession, was

(1) in the defendant's dwelling or on land owned or leased by the defendant appurtenant to the dwelling; or

 

[oneounceload]

is 21 years of age or older and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon,

Guess my handgun for self defense would fall under that exemption then, wouldn't it?

 

[X-Rap]

A more onerous result of violating some state carry laws is the application of felony charges. It's worth checking to see if what seems a simple violation ends up in more than misdemeanor charges that could end with loss of carry rights or worse yet, hard time.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Guess my handgun for self defense would fall under that exemption then, wouldn't it?

That struck me too. I would like to see if there's any case history on that point.

 

[Salmoneye]

(b) In a prosecution under (a)(6) of this section, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant, at the time of possession, was

(1) in the defendant's dwelling or on land owned or leased by the defendant appurtenant to the dwelling; or

AS 11.61.220 (a)(6) Reads:

(a)A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person

(6) is less than 21 years of age and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon, that is concealed on the person.

Which has to do with being under 21, and not your duty to inform which is AS 11.61.220 (a)(1)(A)(i):

(a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person
(1) is 21 years of age or older and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary
pocket knife or a defensive weapon,
(A) that is concealed on the person, and, when contacted by a peace officer, the person
fails to
(i) immediately inform the peace officer of that possession; or

Sure looks to me as if you are required to inform regardless of location...

 

[Evergreen]

I am not one to defend or condemn any state, contrary to the accusations some made.. Comparing personal freedoms and restrictions is not like comparing a Ford to a Chevy..

First and foremost, I am an American, not an Oregonian or Washingtonian or whatever. I'd only say I am an Oregonian so people know where I was raised. But, when people want to know my nationality and loyalty, it is to the country and I proudly say I am an American. Everything else is meaningless. I am not loyal to my state at all, I am loyal to my country, the same country my father and his father fought/served to defend.

So, on that note, I am scrutinizing the laws of every state and fairly assessing them. I am in no way defending the crappy laws here in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, there has been times I have been tempted to get out of here seeing the gun control legislation brewing in Multnomah and King counties that have affected the well-beings of both states. Nonetheless, I will give the Northwest respect where it is due and respect the freedoms we do have here and if other states are lacking those, I will be quick to point them out.

I am in no way loyal to Arizona, never lived or visited there and the 120 degree days would probably kill me. However, after researching the gun laws, I have to come to the conclusion that this is a state where I feel the rights of gun owners are respected and adheres to our 2nd Amendment more closely than most any other state.

Now, I was looking into relocating to the Greenville area, but then did an analysis of the gun laws. In my head, I always thought South Carolina "Red State", Washington/Oregon "Blue State", so, therefore, South Carolina must be better. I was as blind in my thinking as some others who hadn't bothered to look deeply into the laws. It was a rude awakening as I started reading on forums about this restriction and that restriction. After reviewing the laws I found certain gun control legislation to be overbearing and it had nothing to do with the state, culture , but the unconstitutional and threatening laws, themselves.

So, Seattle, passed a gun and ammo tax that is still in limbo in courts after a rogue liberal Seattle judge said it is constitutional. Guess what? I will not live in the city limits of Seattle and I don't want any of my money going to that city. This is the same reason I refuse to live in the city limits of Portland, which also makes its own unconstitutional gun laws.

Regardless of all the great things about South Carolina gun laws, the gun control laws South Carolina has are so threatening I feel they outweigh the good. In fact, with the type of laws they have, I would more or less not even bother conceal carrying in that state, assuming I am a guy who wants to be a law abiding citizen. No, I will not tell every person who's house I enter that I have a gun. Not only is it humiliating, but just telling someone you have a gun could be seen as a threat in, itself, in this current day and age. And, what is to stop a person from calling the police on the person conceal carrying after he announces he has a gun, saying "There is a man with a gun on my property!" I'm assuming the laws are spelled out that the gun cannot be brought into the home, but I still question if people can face risks for even being on their porch or going through a gate, etc.

As well, the restriction on open carrying not only will hamper me when I want to go for hikes in the back country, but it also opens up the dangerous potential for brandishing charges. In Washington, if someone sees your gun and calls the cops, it is not a crime, as long as you are not intimidating anyone. I would think In South Carolina, if your gun is exposed at all, you can be arrested for open carry/brandishing violations due the way this law is laid out. I cannot confirm that this would indeed be the outcome, but the more gun control laws on the books, the less rights and more potential for incrimination you could face.

Sam really has done a good job explaining most of my concerns in his posts. There is never anything good about more government regulations, especially in the realm of gun control and gun violation laws. I am happy so many trust their state governments, but I, myself, mistrust the government, even the "good" governments. I feel the foundations of our country and Constitution were established with this very mindset, that we have checks and balances to protect us from authoritarian control. Who is to say these laws cannot be abused and used to push for much more far reaching gun control legislation. This is why things like gun taxes, as Seattle is imposing, are haunting. What will stop them from imposing a $5,000 gun tax on each gun so that nobody can own them. In the same way, what if some rogue South Carolina politican decides that carrying a gun into a person's home unannounced should become a felony or could be used to wrongly to push for assault with deadly weapon charges against a gun owner. When you are arrested for gun violations you are already in hot water.

I guess to go even farther, I feel a person has every right to carry a gun into a person's house. The owner of the house has every right to tell the person to leave. However, think of this situation. Your daughter gets invited to go to someone's house for a party. At the party a guy pulls your daughter into the room and attempts to rape her. Do you think this never happens? Seriously, much more often than you think. Would you have wanted your daughter to be armed or unarmed in this private residence? How would the reception have been, "Oh I have a gun, can I come in and attend the party." Is this what we call a free society? If they make a declaration that no guns are allowed in the home, then she should leave. But, assuming this is a law abiding American citizen going to somebody's home, I feel the person has the right to defend themselves, even in a person's home. Same goes for a private business (which is also private property). You should not have to announce you have a gun every single place you go. This is not freedom and puts a person in danger and an impossible situation.

One person wrongly commented your rights do not exist when you enter a person's home. That is absolutely absurd. We are still in America and we still have a considerable amount of rights even in the private home of a person. For example, the person cannot just go and club you to death, rape you or rob you if they want to. That violates several laws, even if in the residence of the home owner. Why is that? Because you have constitutional rights and freedoms even in a person's home. The one right a homeowner or business owner does have is to tell you to leave. And, you must comply with such an order or you will infringe upon the homeowner's rights. But, in my opinion, until you are told to leave, you have the rights and freedoms to do anything legal on the premises of that person's property, until you are commanded to do otherwise. At that point, you should leave the premises. This is why we have trespassing laws. There is no need to turn people into felons or gun violators. Guns are no more evil than knives, baseball bats, pornography (guns serve a good purpose, unlike porn, some may disagree, LOL), satanic t-shirts, etc. If you cannot become a sex offender for bringing legal porn into someone's home, you shouldn't become a gun offender for bringing a legal gun into someone's home.

 

[Red Wind]

OK. I get your drift. Just go one state down to Georgia, no homeowner or LEO notification needed, open carry is there and many IT opportunities abound in the Atlanta megalopolis.

Think Ray Charles. Get Georgia on your mind. And Savannah is the most wonderful mid sized city in the entire USA, IMO. Athens, Augusta, Tybee Island, Sea Island, it's all good!