By Sgt. Derrick Cartwright,
Latta Police Department
The amount of violence is on the increase and the use of weapons against the innocent is alarming. These acts have many innocent citizens questioning their legal carry rights and laws of the State of South Carolina. Many are falling victim to these senseless acts of criminals, not just nationwide, but around our area of the world too. Some may say that it is the weapon causing the injuries or deaths, but here is a thought: The firearms that these criminals are using are just tools just like any hammer, a saw, a pencil we write with, a vehicle that takes us from one place to another, etc… The way one chooses to use that tool or carry out their task is what causes the issue or problem, not the tool itself.
Politicians nationwide and the media have filled news stories with “why guns are bad” or “how guns kill.” These same lawmakers being blasted across the airwaves have been seen on the news and social networks holding these handguns and rifles in a manner similar to that of criminals, careless. We all are familiar with the talks of banning weapons or limiting the amount of ammunition that can be sold. Well, it only takes one bullet to injure or kill someone so therefore limiting the amount one can purchase will be useless to any criminal. Taking weapons away will be nothing more than telling the criminal that the law abiding citizens have been disarmed for their convenience. A law abiding citizen will do just that, abide by the law while a criminal could care less for any law that ever has been or will be ratified or its enforcement. Driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, shoplifting, burglary, robbery, etc… are all against the
law; however, these laws continue to be broken and cost the law abiding citizens on a daily basis. The costs are not just monetary but these criminal acts cost many their well-being and lives. The criminal will find a way to break the law one way or another and could care less about the law or anyone else.
What we all need is more education on weapons, the laws of the state and to practice firearms safety. Too many mistakes are happening where innocent people are failing to practice firearms safety causing injury or death to others. It is no accident; it is a mistake on the handler of that firearm. We need to teach children the importance of firearm safety. Too many children are getting weapons and shooting themselves or someone else. It is your responsibility to keep the weapon up away from the child. Children should be taught the importance of noticing a firearm, leaving it alone and seeking an adult or the police immediately. The handler or owners of a weapon need to familiarize themselves with the safe handling and functioning of the firearms in which they own along with the laws of the State of South Carolina. These safe practices are what help in keeping these mistakes down and from occurring.
Officers are asked daily about transporting a handgun in a vehicle without a concealed weapons permit. It is okay and legal to have a loaded pistol in the glove box, center console or the trunk of your vehicle as long as you are of age (Section 16-23-20 SC Code of Laws). The law states “secured”; It does not say unloaded. It would be useless to have an unloaded gun in either of these places for defense purposes. If the need arises where you need it, the attacker will not give you time to load it. Keep it loaded and remember firearm safety. Here are four basic cardinal rules:
1.) Treat all weapons as if they are loaded;
2.) Keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction;
3.) Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are on target and made the conscious decision to fire;
4.) Know your target and what is beyond it…
Those wishing to carry the weapon on their person have to attend at least eight hours of firearms training in a concealed weapons permit course.    
If you are stopped by the police while the weapon is in your glove box, center console or trunks do nothing that can be perceived as a threat. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and when asked for your registration or insurance proof, let the officer know that you do have a weapon and its location. Be kind in your answer and not just “I have a gun.” The situation may get bad if you do that. Just let them know, “Officer, I do have my registration and insurance proof but I want you to know that I do carry a firearm in my glove box (or wherever it is). Let them tell you to get it—don’t immediately reach. They may ask to get it themselves. The officer may break the weapon down (Take the ammunition away from the weapon) before they give it back to you. Don’t be alarmed and let the police do their job. It’s for their safety and yours.
To my brothers and sisters in uniform: Be careful and stay safe out there. Also remember, if a law abiding citizen tells you they have a weapon in the vehicle they are doing so because it is the right thing to do. The bad guys usually will not tell us they have a weapon and those are, of course, the ones we have to look out for.
Citizens do not have to sit back and fall victim to these criminal acts. Taking weapons up is NOT the answer; Firearms education and training are!!! These weapons or tools are for the protection of you and your family. Disarming yourself will do nothing more than give the criminal more power over you and your family. Sure, it may take a few bad guys becoming statistics but the innocent victims and law abiding citizens will be around to tell their side of the story.
Maybe this article will help clear up some confusion with firearms and the laws. This article is to provide some insight into the legal handgun carry in South Carolina.
This article is for general information purposes only.
For more information on state laws as they pertain to weapons or firearms safety training  material look at: SLED: http://www.sled.sc.gov/SCStateGunLaws1.aspx?MenuID=CWP#1; NRA: www.nrahq.org – (firearm’s safety training material); South Carolina Code of Laws: http://www. scstatehouse.gov/code/ statmast.php