A chronological history of GrassRoots activities concerning H. 3310

H. 3310: This bill - enacted into law effective May 14, 2007 - codifies what every reasonable person already knew the law to be, i.e., a CWP holder can legally carry a concealed firearm “on or about his person” when in a vehicle. The bill as first drafted would have required a CWP holder who carried her self defense sidearm in her purse to remove it from her purse and put the sidearm into the glove box, console, or trunk while she was in the vehicle. It was GrassRoots’ eternal vigilance that discovered this problem, which was discriminatory against women, and it was a GrassRoots proposed amendment that fixed this problem. Rep. Mike Pitts fully supported the GrassRoots proposed amendment once he was made aware of the problem.
GrassRoots Position: GrassRoots supported this bill.
Primary Sponsor: M. A. Pitts
Full Text: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3310.htm

Jan. 17, 2007: Introduced and read first time.
Jan. 17, 2007: Referred to Judiciary Committee. Referred to General Laws Subcommittee.
Jan 31, 2007: General Laws Subcommittee hearing held. The GrassRoots proposed amendment was unanimously adopted.
Feb 20, 2007: Judiciary Committee meeting held. Given favorable recommendation (with amendment) to House.
Feb 22, 2007: Given 2nd reading in House.
Feb 23, 2007: Given 3rd reading in House. Sent to Senate.
Feb 27, 2007: Senate Introduced and read first time. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 1, 2007 Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Hutto (ch), Jackson, Knotts, Bryant.
Mar 2, 2007 Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary.
May 3, 2007 Senate Read second time. Granted unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day.
May 4, 2007: Given 3rd reading in Senate. Sent to Governor.
May 14, 2007: Signed into law by the Governor.


May 14th, 2007:

Governor Sanford signed H. 3310 into law. According to an Attorney General's opinion issued nearly a decade ago, this was already existing law, but small numbers of law enforcement officers around our state were harassing motorists who carry, claiming that they were not allowed to carry while in their vehicles. No longer will this harassment of law abiding CWP holders be permitted to continue. who travel in their cars while armed.


May 1st, 2007:

Attended Senate Judiciary Committee to support H.3310. Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the full Senate with a favorable report.


February 23rd, 2007:

The SC House of Representatives gave H. 3310 its third reading and it has been sent on to the Senate. The Senate must now pass it and send it to the Governor to be signed before it becomes law.


February 22nd, 2007:

The SC House of Representatives gave H. 3310 its second reading and moved for unanimous consent to hold the 3rd reading the following day.


February 20th, 2007:

The SC House Judiciary Committee met to consider several bills. Among them were the two firearms-related bills (H. 3310 and H. 3212) that GrassRoots has been closely monitoring. GrassRoots faxed this letter in support of H. 3310 and H.3212 to the members of the committee.

GrassRoots leadership attended the meeting along with several GrassRoots Gorillas armed with their orange clipboards, to take notes on the voting of each committee member. Both bills were approved unanimously by all committee members present. Attending the meeting were Dr. Robert D. Butler, Bill Rentiers, Ralph Baker, Greg Kenneally, Bill Griffin, Josiah Gardner and Talbert Black. Thanks goes out to the GrassRoots Gorillas for answering the call!


January 31st, 2007:

The House General Laws subcommittee chaired by Rep. Scott Talley held a hearing on H. 3310 . GrassRoots GunRights was the ONLY pro gun rights organization to attend the January 31, 2007, subcommittee hearing and point out the problems with the bill as it was initially drafted.

GrassRoots did not just point out the problems, GrassRoots also proposed alternative language to fix the problem. The GrassRoots proposed amendment was unanimously adopted by the subcommittee. Thanks to the work of GrassRoots GunRights, a bill that would have caused problems for female CWP holders was instead amended by the House General Laws subcommittee - with the full support of Rep. Mike Pitts, the bill's sponsor - to protect the rights of our female CWP holders.

Interestingly, the discussion of H. 3310 noted that the only reason the bill was even introduced was because some law enforcement agencies are continuing to improperly stop and detain CWP holders for carrying their sidearms while in their vehicles.

GrassRoots believes the best course of action would be to punish the law enforcement agencies for harassing law abiding citizens, not write more laws that only repeat what is already the law. But, legislators write laws, not police the police. So, another law is on its way to being enacted.

To better understand the issues involved, please read the letter that was sent by GrassRoots to each member of the subcommittee.

You might also want to read the letter from Rep. Scott Talley to Robert D. Butler - VP of GrassRoots - thanking GrassRoots for appearing and helping the legislative process.

Your support is what makes the politicians listen to GrassRoots leaders. Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference.


Copyright © 2007 GrassRoots GunRights of SC
Last Updated December 7, 2007
For more information contact: Executive Officer