Senator Marlon Kimpson to address gun control

CHARLESTON, SC – State Senator Marlon Kimpson (D-Charleston) announced that he has drafted legislation that he intends to pre-file, aimed at reducing the number of illegal guns, ban assault weapons, strengthen background checks, and implement a gun registration system so tracking can be made easier in South Carolina.

“The time has come for us as a state to address a very important issue that continues to impact our communities across South Carolina and that is gun control,” said Kimpson. “We cannot afford another tragedy to happen before we take the needed and necessary steps to address the issue. I intend to pre-file several bills later this year that I believe, if passed, will make significant progress towards reducing the number of illegal guns in the Palmetto State as well as implement a system in which we can track guns,” added Kimpson. “If we deem it important enough to have registration for vehicles and boats, then it certainly makes sense to do the same for guns,” said Kimpson.

Pertinent parts of the legislation include:

Background Check Plus Bill:

Similar to Congressman Jim Clyburn’s legislation (H.R. 3051), Kimpson’s bill will close the 3-day loophole for gun background checks. It goes further by requiring a state background check to ensure that state-specific information, not available in a federal background check, is not overlooked or missed. This additional state background check will guarantee a more complete and thorough background check process.

Gun Registration Bill:

This bill will require firearm owners to register firearms with SLED to create a reliable and accurate tracking system of firearms owned in the state.

Ban on Assault Weapons Bill:

This bill defines assault weapons and adds these firearms to the state’s list of banned firearms to prevent the transfer of semi-automatic weapons in the state.

Lost and/or Stolen Gun Reporting Bill:

This bill will require a handgun owner to immediately report a lost and/or stolen handgun to SLED. In addition to our current laws regarding procedures for returning a found handgun and the prohibition against stolen handguns, this legislation will ensure a proper tracking system for stolen handguns.

Weapon Purchase Permit Bill:

This bill will require a person to acquire a weapon purchase permit to purchase a firearm in South Carolina. The process would somewhat mirror the current Concealed Weapon Permit process.

Senator Kimpson has already written Senate Judiciary Chairman, Larry Martin (R-Pickens), requesting that a sub-committee be appointed so that these bills can be addressed as soon as session begins.