New permitless carry bill set for a vote with S.C. Senate seems an unnecessary step | Opinion

Say no to gun law

In January, the S.C. Senate is scheduled to vote on the South Carolina Permitless Gun Carry Bill (H.3594).

This bill, recently passed by the S.C. House, repeals the current law which requires a person to obtain a permit for carrying a concealed handgun.

The law, as currently written, requires the applicant to be an SC resident, pass a one-day approved training course/shooting test and pay a $50 application fee.

Based on a survey conducted in September - 2023 by the Pew Research Institute (www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/):

- 60% of adults say gun violence is a major problem in the U.S.

- 58% favor stricter gun laws

Those arguing for Senate passage of H.3594 say it is a necessary step for protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

Personally, I fail to see how the current law is unduly burdensome and infringes on anyone’s right to “bear arms.”

Based on the Pew survey, it appears many of you feel the same.

If you are one of the majority who is in favor of sensible gun legislation, please contact our state senator, Tom Davis, (www.scstatehouse.gov) and tell him to vote NO on H.3594.

Ronald Ernest Trawinski, HHI

Brilliant fundraising?

Recently I received a letter and check from the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee) for $35.

The check was made out to them with my name and address as the sender…except I’m not. They wanted me to match their funds and send both checks to the NRCC.

How brilliant is that?

I wish I had come up with such a scheme. If I could write a check and make it to me, give it to someone else and ask them to make a matching funds check to me, and they did, I’d be rich.

If they said no, well, I wouldn’t be out any money.

The accompanying letter does play on the emotions, though, with “Dear Fellow Patriot,” a corny greeting clearly indicating the sender wants something, usually money.

Then comes the yada, yadas.

“We want your ‘gift’ and will match it.

What a great concept!

Please, people, if you have extra money lying around, contact me. I will put it into my savings account and match it with money that’s in my savings account. The more money I receive the more money I can match.

Brilliant! Maybe I can get George Santos to run the organization.

He’ll have time on his hands.

Fran Heckrotte, Beaufort

A friend revered

Who is Israel? For Moncks Corner, Israel in the 1960s was the Bakers.

The Bakers were salt-of-the-earth people, meaning they loved openly and earnestly.

Benny courageously invested capital in a trampoline center on Main Street near where the Changed Lives Mission store is now. He supported enthusiastically many worthwhile causes by the local Chamber of Commerce. He and Pearl attended and cheered and loved their children’s sports activities.

Once at a summer Dixie Youth Baseball practice, Neal Baker was pitching, David Page was batting, and I was catching.

Neal zinged a curve ball. David swung late and tipped it.

Said ball’s trajectory thus deflected, colliding not with my catcher’s mitt, but with my free hand’s little finger, dislocating it.

Pearl Baker took me in her car to Dr. Pete Meyer’s house where he was home for midday dinner.

Mrs. Baker explained the situation. Dr. Pete took my hand in his, pressed squarely down on my disjointed little finger, and presto, it was straightened out normally.

I cherish Pearl Baker’s loving care for me as a little boy then.

This, friends, is Israel to me today.

Joseph Wofford, Pawleys Island