Concealed weapons permits surge in S.C.

  • Follow Metro

COLUMBIA --- The number of concealed weapons permits issued in South Carolina has risen sharply this year, state records show, as people worry about crime and their right to bear firearms.

The State newspaper of Columbia reported Sunday that concealed weapons permits issued by the State Law Enforcement Division stood at 28,197 as of mid-October. That's up from 14,630 permits issued in all of 2008 and far outstrips the number of permits issued in previous years.

The newspaper, which researched concealed weapons permits, hunting licenses and FBI background checks done for firearms sales, also reported that the number of concealed weapon permits rose nearly equally among men and women between 2005 and 2008.

"My motto is walk lightly and carry a big stick," said Ed Strickland, a concealed weapons permit instructor in Abbeville.

Abbeville County has one of the highest concentrations of concealed weapons permits holders in the state: one per 31.6 residents.

SLED spokesman Paul Flondarina says South Carolina is following a national trend with more concealed weapons permits.

He says nearly 100,000 people in South Carolina now hold concealed weapons permits.



The demand for permits is being driven, in part, over people's belief that President Obama and a Democratic-controlled Congress are a threat to their Second Amendment rights.

"People are thinking, 'I want to get it and get it now,' " said Tom Thompson, the president of the Mid-Carolina Rifle Club in Gaston, in Lexington County. "In case the Democrats try to pull something on us, we're going to have it."

Others increasingly worry about becoming a crime victim.

"I very truly believe there are bad people out there," said Patty Clark, a 49-year-old Gilbert resident with a concealed weapons permit. "Not that every time you walk out the door you're in danger of being attacked, but there are bad people out there who can hurt you."


"It becomes a deadly game," said Laura Hudson, the executive director of the S.C. Crime Victims Council. "Where is all of this ending? Is everybody going to have a weapon? Are we going back to the Wild West? It just escalates."

Comments (2) Add comment
Hepkikyo 11/02/09 - 10:08 am
Laura Hudson, wake up! With

Laura Hudson, wake up! With an attitude like yours, you are just part of the problem. I guess if fewer people protect themselves, you will have a larger pool of crime victims to preside over as their executive director. An armed society is a polite society.

Doyougetitnow 11/02/09 - 06:11 pm
"The proliferation of

"The proliferation of concealed weapons concerns crime victim advocates, who say a heavily armed citizenry will not make people more safe." With that premise in mind, explain Switzerland. Every male over the age of 18 has a gun. Their crime stats say what? "Is everybody going to have a weapon? Are we going back to the Wild West?" To answer your question Laura, If we're legally carrying, we can legally protect ourselves. If our second amendment right gets run roughshod over (Barry says the Constitution is a "working" document, not a "living" one), then no, we can't. When they outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns; your pool of crime victims will skyrocket. Are you looking for job security? You're right Hep, an armed society is a polite society. If you don't know if they are armed or not, are you willing to find out? Don't bring a BB gun or knife to a gun fight. The police have no legal obligation to protect an ordinary individual only the "people". Translated that means if they don't get there in time, it's on you to protect yourself, if you can, if not, they'll write the report.

Back to Top
Search Augusta jobs