Moms group applauds defeat of “reckless” gun bill

The South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee for voting down a bill that would have allowed the open carry of firearms in public without a background check or gun safety training. That same bill, the group says, would have allowed convicted criminals to have and openly carry guns throughout the state. The vote margin yesterday was overwhelming. Senate Bill 115 received four yes votes and 17 no votes. Moms Demand Action singled out a Pickens County lawmaker for his part in opposing what the women’s group sees as a reckless bill. “We applaud Committee Chairman Larry Martin for his leadership in opposing this dangerous bill, along with the vast majority of senators who stood up for gun sense, regardless of political party,” said Erin Dando, chapter leader. South Carolina ranks first in the country in women murdered by men, mainly by guns; fourth for law enforcement officers feloniously killed with a gun; and seventh for gun homicides.