COLUMBIA, S.C. – A bill that would allow permit holders to carry concealed weapons onto public school campuses has been passed by a South Carolina House subcommittee.
Proponents of the measure contend that having more trained and armed gun owners in schools could prevent massacres like the one at Virginia Tech in April where 32 people were gunned down. Police chiefs from across the state argue that allowing such a measure would make it difficult to pick out a criminal.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, via an Associated Press report, 37 states ban weapons at schools in the U.S. Sixteen of those states specifically prohibit weapons on college campuses. Utah is the only state that allows concealed weapons on its campuses. In South Carolina, a resident must be 21 years old, complete eight hours of handgun training and pass criminal and mental background checks to obtain a concealed weapon permit.
The measure will be seen next by the House Judiciary Committee. It is not expected to pass before Legislature adjourns for the year in June.
