Bill History - H. 3964

A chronological history of GrassRoots activities concerning H. 3964

H. 3964: Initially, H. 3964 deleted the prohibition against carry of a firearm on school and college premises by concealed weapon permit holders. But, H. 3964 needed to be amended because it was poorly drafted and created ambiguity where none needed to exist. Then, H. 3964 was amended on the floor of the House during the last days of the 2007 legislative session. The amendments would have deleted Section 16-23-20 – the law that prohibits the possession of handguns unless one fit into one of the listed exceptions, Section 16-23-465 – the law that prohibits possession of firearms in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages, the laws that prohibit the possession of firearms in publicly owned buildings and on school property, and the entire concealed weapon permit law. Then, the amendments would have replaced the deleted laws with new laws that would allow people to possess handguns as long as they are not using or intending to use the handguns for illegal purposes – i.e., “Vermont carry”; allowed the possession of firearms on school grounds for legal purposes, but not in the school buildings; and prohibit the possession of firearms on prison grounds or in courthouses. Due to the amendments not being exposed to debate in subcommittee and committee meetings, H. 3964 was sent back to the Judiciary Committee for further study.
Principles Involved: The right to keep and bear arms should not be restricted in any location where the general public has the right to be. Citizens should be able to carry a firearm for lawful purposes wherever they wish.
GrassRoots Position: GrassRoots supports this bill.
Current Status: In House Judiciary committee.
Primary Sponsor: Duncan
Full Text: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3964.htm

Apr. 24, 2007 House Introduced and read first time.
Apr. 24, 2007 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
May 9, 2007 House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee meets.
May 16, 2007 House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee meets, and votes 2-1 to pass the bill favorably with GrassRoots amendment.
May 22, 2007 House Judiciary committee met to discuss the bill. The bill was amended to prevent carry on campus, but to allow a firearm to be in the vehicle.
May 29, 2007 SC House of Representatives is scheduled to debate H.3964 on today's calendar.
June 6, 2007 During debate on the House floor, Rep. Mike Pitts had the bill sent back to the House Judiciary Committee for further study.

May 28th, 2007:

GrassRoots faxed this letter to every member of the House of Representatives. The House is scheduled to debate H.3964 tomorrow and GrassRoots has serious concerns about the affect this bill will have on current and future CWP reciprocity agreements with other states.

May 22nd, 2007:

GrassRoots leaders and Gorillas attended a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee which discussed H.3964 to allow CWP holders to carry on school & college campuses. It was a long meeting with very contentious debate. The committee amended the bill to allow firearms on school & college campuses only if remaining in the glovebox, console, trunk, or under the seat of a vehicle. The bill was amended so that CWP holders would still not be able to carry a firearm on their person while on campus. Read the letter by GrassRoots VP Dr. Robert D. Butler that was faxed to each member of the House Judiciary Committee.

May 18th, 2007:

GrassRoots VP Dr. Robert D. Butler appeared as a guest on CNN Headline News with host Erica Hill to speak in favor of H.3964 and SC State Representative Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) gave the opposing view. Click here to watch the video.

May 17th, 2007:

GrassRoots VP Dr. Robert D. Butler appeared as a guest on CNN's Paula Zahn show to speak in favor of H.3964 and SC State Representative Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) gave the opposing view. Click here to watch the video.

May 16th, 2007:

The testimony to the House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee was recorded by reporter Kara Gormley of WIS-tv 10, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, SC. Click here to watch the story that aired on this evening's 6:00pm news.

May 16th, 2007:

GrassRoots leaders attended a meeting of the House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee to support H.3964. The night before, Representative Kris Crawford (R-Florence) contacted Dr. Robert D. Butler asking GrassRoots to provide some additional information regarding school shootings where a firearm has been used to halt the shooter and save lives. GrassRoots hand delivered this letter to Representative Crawford and copies to the members of the House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee. During a private discussion with legislators out in the hall, GrassRoots leadership also provided specific details to the subcommittee on how an amendment to H.3964 should be worded in order to fix problems with it that would prevent the bill from performing as intended. All of the members of the subcommittee voted to adopt the bill with GrassRoots proposed changes. When the subcommittee voted to give the bill a favorable recommendation to the full House Judiciary committee, Representative Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville) was the only member to cast a vote OPPOSING this pro gun bill. GrassRoots members should call Rep. Bannister and voice their concerns about his opposition to good, pro gun legislation.

May 9th, 2007:

GrassRoots leaders attended a meeting of the House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee to support H.3964. GrassRoots faxed this letter to the members of the House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee.