Sumter police explain new state firearms law to community
Sumter Police Department Chief Russell Roark released a statement in reference to the new firearms law allowing citizens to open carry their firearms that went into effect immediately after being signed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday.
“As an agency, we continue to ask residents to practice safe, responsible handling of all firearms whether for personal safety or sporting activities,” the chief said. “Make sure to promptly remove them from your vehicles and place them in a secure location in your home.”
South Carolina became the 29th state to allow open carry of firearms without a permit on Thursday. McMaster signed the law one day after it was approved by the Senate, sharing in a statement after a private ceremony, “Now law enforcement, prosecutors and judges can keep career violent criminals behind bars where they belong where they can no longer hurt innocent South Carolinians.”
Sumter Police Department posted an explainer on its social media Friday evening, explaining the amended state law and how it differs from the state’s previous firearm law.
To begin, the department noted that all residents ages 18 or older and who can legally possess a firearm can now openly carry a firearm with or without training or a Concealed Weapons Permit, except in areas that remain restricted; those areas still include public buildings or private businesses with posted signage, and a list of restricted areas and other Concealed Weapons Permit information can be found at https://sled.sc.gov/cwp.
The post went on to include verbatim the state provision, or clause, regarding special open/concealed carry provisions related to churches and church activities on school property, stating:
“(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon express permission given by the appropriate church official or governing body, any person may carry a concealable weapon, whether concealed or openly carried, on the leased premises of an elementary or secondary school if a church leases the school premises or areas within the school for church services or official church activities.
(1) The provisions contained in this section apply:
(a) only during those times that the church has the use and enjoyment of the school property pursuant to its lease with the school; and
(b) only to the areas of the school within the lease agreement, any related parking areas or any reasonable ingress or egress between these areas.
(2) A school district may request that a church utilizing school property for its services disclose and notify the school district if persons are, or could be, carrying concealed weapons on the school property.
(3) The provisions of this section do not apply during any time students are present as a result of a curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activity that is taking place on the school property.”
Also, under the new law, there are no restrictions as to where firearms can be stored inside a vehicle, and residents 18 or older are eligible to apply for a Concealed Weapons permit.
If a lawfully owned firearm is lost or stolen, law enforcement must be notified within 10 days of the firearm being discovered missing. If stolen or missing within city limits, residents should contact Sumter Police Department. If stolen or missing outside of city limits but still within Sumter County, residents should contact Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Personnel from either agency can assist residents in determining which agency would have jurisdiction.
If the firearm is found, it should be turned in to law enforcement immediately. After 90 days have passed from the publishing of the missing notice and at the request of the individual who found and turned over the handgun, “the agency shall return the handgun to this person if the individual pays all advertising and other costs incidental to returning the handgun,” according to the law. It goes on to say “the agency shall not return a handgun to the individual who found and turned it in if that individual is prohibited under state or federal law from possessing or receiving a handgun. The agency may dispose of any handgun that is not reclaimed or returned under this section by sale.”
Penalties related to the illegal use or possession of a firearm “have stiffened,” the police department wrote. The law states a first offense, a misdemeanor, is punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 or up to one year in prison, or both; a second offense, also a misdemeanor, is punishable by up to three years in prison; and a third or subsequent offense, a felony, is punishable by up to five years in prison.
“Going forward, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division will develop a firearm training program for the public and a list of certified instructors available once funding is allocated,” the department ended off the post.