South Carolina Moms Applaud Bipartisan Vote To Defeat S115, Bill To Allow Open Carry With No Background Check Or Training

GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly voted down (4-17) Senate Bill 115, which would have allowed the open carry of firearms in public without a background check or gun safety training. In addition, the bill would have allowed convicted criminals to have and openly carry guns throughout the state.

The South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America testified at statehouse hearings against the bill last spring, and activated its membership to call members of the Judiciary Committee to oppose the bill.

"We applaud Committee Chairman Larry Martin for his leadership in opposing this dangerous bill, along with the vast majority of senators who stood up for gun sense, regardless of political party," said Erin Dando, South Carolina chapter leader of Moms Demand Action. "As mothers who care about the safety of our children, families and communities, we are grateful that the voices of South Carolinian moms were heard in Columbia."

South Carolina ranks 1st in the nation of women murdered by men, mainly by guns; 4th for law enforcement officers feloniously killed with a gun; and 7th for gun homicides.

"Our moms did not want to see another dangerous gun bill get passed in South Carolina. Our state's epidemic of gun violence must be addressed with smarter gun laws, not by allowing more and easier access to guns," said Dando. "Our mom members called senators while walking their kids to school, tweeted on work lunch breaks, and sent emails well into the night urging our leaders to vote for gun sense."

S115 fails just a week after Governor Haley signed S308, which stripped the past concealed weapon permit process of the required 8-hours of safety training, placing those same permit holders in bars and restaurants serving alcohol. Moms Demand Action members continue to work with businesses, educating them about the new law and helping them meet the requirements to prohibit concealed guns.

About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving was created to change laws regarding drunk driving, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was created to build support for common-sense gun reforms. The nonpartisan grassroots movement of American mothers is demanding new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. In just one year, the organization has more than 140,000 members with a chapter in every state in the country. The group recently joined forces with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter @MomsDemand.

SOURCE Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America