Amya Reed
As of March 7, South Carolina became the 28th state in the United States to pass the Constitutional Carry law also known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act. On July 4, Louisiana will become the 29th state, making up almost 60% of the U.S. to pass this law.
This law allows U.S. citizens ages 18 and older to carry a firearm without a permit. In exchange for the passing of this law, the consequences for using a gun illegally will be more severe. It will limit the time you report your weapon missing and offers training classes paid for by the state.
In an article on South Carolina Public Radio’s website, Sheriff Leon Lott from Richland County said, “This is a win for the criminals, who can now walk around with a gun and law enforcement cannot do anything about it.”
South Carolina is ranked No. 9 in the U.S. of having a high gun death rate. Louisiana is ranked No. 2 in the U.S. of having a high gun death rate. The top 10 highest gun death rates are all under the Constitutional Carry Law.
Will Michigan become the newest top 10 if we take on the Constitutional Carry Law?
In an interview with CBS Detroit News, Michigan Sen. Angela Rigas said, “The Constitutional Carry Law empowers citizens to be able to defend themselves as they should.”
Though this empowers citizens to protect themselves it also gives them more leg room to use a gun for other purposes. Are we passing this law for the right reasons?
“I submit to you that the only reason why this was done, and this was passed in this chamber on a partisan vote mostly is because this is an election year,” South Carolina Sen. Margie Bright Matthews told South Carolina Public Radio.
As we all may know, an election is coming up this November; which is why it is prominent that we vote. If we do not vote, laws like this will be passed. Your voice holds a substantial weight in today’s world. Let’s all vote to protect our communities and our futures.
