South Carolina governor signs open carry bill into law

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law last week the Open Carry with Training Act.

McMaster announced that he signed the bill on Twitter, stating: "I will proudly support any legislation that protects or enhanced a South Carolinian's ability to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights, and that's exactly what this bill does."

Also known as H.3094, the Open Carry with Training Act "makes South Carolina a Second Amendment sanctuary state," the tweeted graphics touted.

It eliminated the $50 permit fee associated with concealed weapon permits, and any concealed weapon permit holders can openly carry "a concealable weapon" on them or in their motor vehicle, with the exception of areas where signage explicitly states otherwise. The law will go into effect 90 days from signing on Aug. 15.

WYFF spoke with law enforcement agencies about the new law and received positive feedback on the bill.

"I think this can definitely be a very positive thing. I think as the sheriff, you know I believe that guns could certainly be a deterrent for a bad guy when considering committing a crime upon a victim," said Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride. "It’s going to be something new that we have to get used to and the public will have to get used to of course. Walking into a location or at a location where it is allowed to carry and seeing that and it not being a law enforcement officer."