South Carolina Senate Approves Open Carry Bill with Mandatory Free Gun Training

The legislation seeks to mitigate concerns over untrained gun ownership by including free firearms training for residents.

The South Carolina Senate passed a bill allowing open carry without a permit, coupled with free firearms training classes.
The bill aims to address concerns from law enforcement and some lawmakers about the lack of training for gun owners.
If approved by the House and signed into law, South Carolina will join 27 other states with similar open carry laws.
The proposal includes enhanced penalties for felons using guns in crimes and for carrying guns in prohibited areas.
The estimated cost for the state to provide the training is at least $4 million annually.