South Carolina Senate Approves Permitless Gun Carry with Free Training

The South Carolina Senate passed a bill allowing open carry without a concealed carry permit, with the addition of free firearms training, after nearly two weeks of debate. The bill also includes a required statewide advertising campaign for the free training classes and maintains restrictions on carrying in certain places. Law enforcement officials and some lawmakers expressed concerns about the bill, but the addition of free training led to a compromise. If signed into law, South Carolina would join 27 other states allowing open carry without a permit.