.

Published Saturday, August 25, 2001

concealed weapons

Officials say law for guns works

 Associated Press

CHARLESTON -- When the state's concealed weapons law was passed in 1996, critics feared gunslingers would be strolling the streets of South Carolina, but authorities say the program has worked effectively.

The law allows any South Carolina resident 21 or older with a clean criminal record to obtain permits to carry guns in handbags, briefcases or holsters. They must pass a training class and pay a $50 background check and processing fee.

Many locations still prohibit concealed guns, including schools, legislative buildings and any place with a liquor license.

Last year, nearly 11,000 people applied for the permits, and many of those were license renewals.

"People are very aware of their right to have a permit and to carry a firearm," said Capt. Joe Dorton, who oversees the State Law Enforcement Division's regulatory department. "They are very attentive to keeping their permit in good standing."

Former Gov. David Beasley signed the concealed gun bill into law in 1996 despite concerns from critics that it would add trouble to the state's gun culture. Dorton, however, said very few permit holders have abused the privilege since the law was enacted.

"We have had a couple of instances of pointing a firearm, and one instance where a firearm was fired at an acquaintance after a fight," Dorton said. In all the cases, the owner's permit was revoked, he said.

Rep. Jeff Young, R-Sumter, the original sponsor of the bill, said the legislation is working.

"The people who have gotten them have been very responsible," he said. "Now you have 30,000 people trained with guns who may not have been trained before. And the criminal still doesn't know who's carrying."

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, originally opposed the bill because she feared it would lead to more armed citizens walking the streets.

But she said Thursday that if "there's no evidence of abuse, I don't have any opposition to the law remaining in place."

University of South Carolina criminologist Geoffrey Alpert said it's still unclear whether the state's concealed weapon law is an effective tool for deterring crime. That's because violent crime is down in most categories, and no one seems to have done any in-depth research into the issue since it became law.

Dorton said he didn't have any data to support why the program is gaining in popularity, although SLED suspected it was bound to happen. "We don't do anything to encourage or discourage" people signing up, he said.

But he added "we knew there would be a pretty sizable base" given the enthusiasm of gun owners, he said.