OPINION:
Gun-rights activists believe they will see the pendulum swing back in their direction this year.
President Obama and his gun-control buddies were successful in pushing through new restrictions on the Second Amendment in eight states last year.
But now, South Carolina has bucked the trend and moved to strengthen the right to bear arms.
Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to soon sign a bill, which passed the General Assembly on Thursday, that allows for concealed carry in bars and restaurants. Gun owners will still have to have a legal permit and not drink alcohol.
This is the first gun-related state legislation to be sent to a governor this year.
Doug Mayer, the governor’s spokesman, said that she “will sign any bill that doesn’t restrict the rights of guns owners.”
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South Carolina was one of only two states — the other being Louisiana — that outright banned guns in places that served alcohol.
And, of course, the District of Columbia does not recognize any carry rights outside the home.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been pushing for this legislation for a year. The bill also extends the term of a license and improves the application and renewal process.
Mr. Obama and his moneyman Mike Bloomberg exploited the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., to advance their gun grab agenda in 2013.
But Americans realized that infringing upon their Second Amendment rights must have a proven public safety purpose.
Since no gun-control law has ever reduced crime, they now realize they have to strengthen the laws affirming their constitutional rights before they are further chipped away.
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Emily Miller is senior editor of opinion for The Washington Times and author of “Emily Gets Her Gun” (Regnery, 2013).
