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http://www.thestate.com/statewire/story/363816.html
Wed, Apr. 02, 2008
Governor signs bill allowing 18-year-olds to own handguns
COLUMBIA, S.C. --People as young as 18 can now buy and own handguns in South
Carolina.
Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill into law Wednesday to lower the minimum age
from 21.
"People who are old enough to fight and die in the military should be able
to purchase handguns, and the bill will put our laws more in line with those
of other states," Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said.
The law went into effect immediately. Federal law still prohibits firearm
retailers and dealers from selling handguns to people younger than 21. But
the state law now allows individuals to sell handguns to anyone 18 or over.
South Carolina is one of 18 states - and the only one in the South - that
had set 21 as the age for handgun ownership, according to the National Rifle
Association. The group says Wyoming has no handgun age requirement. In
Montana, it's set at 14; in Vermont, 16.
Rep. Mike Pitts, a Laurens Republican and retired police officer, had filed
the bill to help out a national gun wholesaler located in Lexington County
where employees younger than 21 were filling orders over the phone. A legal
opinion by state Attorney General Henry McMaster had said that was not
allowed because of their age and Pitts argued it would cost half the
company's workers their jobs.
Pitts said gun retailers will still have to comply with state and federal
firearms laws.
He said he sees no need to change the minimum age of 21 for a concealed
weapons permit in South Carolina.
Wed, Apr. 02, 2008
Governor signs bill allowing 18-year-olds to own handguns
COLUMBIA, S.C. --People as young as 18 can now buy and own handguns in South
Carolina.
Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill into law Wednesday to lower the minimum age
from 21.
"People who are old enough to fight and die in the military should be able
to purchase handguns, and the bill will put our laws more in line with those
of other states," Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said.
The law went into effect immediately. Federal law still prohibits firearm
retailers and dealers from selling handguns to people younger than 21. But
the state law now allows individuals to sell handguns to anyone 18 or over.
South Carolina is one of 18 states - and the only one in the South - that
had set 21 as the age for handgun ownership, according to the National Rifle
Association. The group says Wyoming has no handgun age requirement. In
Montana, it's set at 14; in Vermont, 16.
Rep. Mike Pitts, a Laurens Republican and retired police officer, had filed
the bill to help out a national gun wholesaler located in Lexington County
where employees younger than 21 were filling orders over the phone. A legal
opinion by state Attorney General Henry McMaster had said that was not
allowed because of their age and Pitts argued it would cost half the
company's workers their jobs.
Pitts said gun retailers will still have to comply with state and federal
firearms laws.
He said he sees no need to change the minimum age of 21 for a concealed
weapons permit in South Carolina.
