Henry McMaster on Gun Control

Graduated criminal penalties for illegal gun possession

Signed Constitutional Carry gun law

Summary by NRA ILA in support, May 9, 2024Lawmakers passed NRA-backed Constitutional Carry legislation. Gov. McMaster then promptly signed HB 3594 into law to make South Carolina the 29th Constitutional Carry state.

Everytown for Gun Safety in opposition, 3.23.2022:Concealed carry permitting systems typically require training to carry firearms responsibly in public. Permitless carry laws, also called constitutional carry laws, strip away this critical safety component. Law enforcement experts overwhelmingly agree that people who carry concealed weapons in public should take firearm training, including live-fire training. Permitless carry laws let people who have never handled a gun carry one concealed and loaded in public.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 86-33-4 on Mar/5/24; passed Senate 28-18-0 on Mar/6/24; signed by Gov. McMaster on Mar/7/24.

Government continues to intrude on gun owners' rights

Rated 93% by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record.

While widely recognized today as a major political force and as America`s foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has, since its inception, been the premier firearms education organization in the world. But our successes would not be possible without the tireless efforts and countless hours of service our nearly three million members have given to champion Second Amendment rights and support NRA programs.

The following ratings are based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionaire sent to all Congressional candidates; the NRA assigned a letter grade (with A+ being the highest and F being the lowest).

What the Grades Mean:
• A+: A legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.
• A: Solidly pro-gun candidate including voting record.
• AQ: A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record.
• B: A generally pro-gun candidate; may have opposed some pro-gun reform in the past.
• C: A candidate with a mixed record or positions on gun related issues, who may oppose some pro-gun positions.
• D: An anti-gun candidate who usually supports restrictive gun control legislation. Regardless of public statements, can usually be counted on to vote wrong on key issues.
• F: True enemy of gun owners` rights. A consistent anti-gun candidate.
• ?: Refused to answer the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire, often an indication of indifference, if not outright hostility, to gun owners` rights.