Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Governor Nikki Haley is set to hold a ceremonial bill signing Wednesday for a bill that recognizes Georgia Concealed Carry permits in South Carolina.

The signing is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Palmetto Terrace on Georgia Avenue.

Sunday, June 5, 2016

CSRA (WRDW/WAGT) -- Crossing the Savannah River just got a little easier for concealed weapons permit holders.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed a bill into law Friday that recognizes Georgia permits in South Carolina. Georgia recognizes permits from any state that recognizes theirs.

Stephanie Scott owns The Gun Rack in Aiken. She says even though the new law was signed in South Carolina, it actually helps Georgians more. "Georgia residents benefit more so than South Carolina, because we were able to carry in South Carolina with a non-resident permit from another state, however Georgians could not get around that," Scott says.

State Representative Bill Hixon says the law was written to go into effect immediately, so concealed weapons permit holders are free to cross the bridge right now. Scott says the new law will even help one of her employees, "I do have an employee who lives in Georgia, so it's great that he can now carry concealed coming and going to work."

One of the law's main criticisms is South Carolina requires hands-on training for a permit, while Georgia doesn't. However, Scott says one time training doesn't make a responsible gun owner. "Ok, they don't have the training in Georgia, but it's all about personal responsibility as a gun owner," she says.

The new law may even save you a couple bucks. Scott says, "Economically it's much better. The non-resident permit added an extra fee for the permit and the class."

Hixon says Governor Nikki Haley agreed to ceremonially sign the bill in North Augusta, they just need to choose a date."

UPDATE: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

CSRA (WRDW/WAGT) -- Lawmakers pass the gun reciprocity bill allowing people who own guns in Georgia to cross over to South Carolina legally.

The Senate passed the bill 35-3 Wednesday. The bill will now go to Governor Nikki Haley's desk.

The reciprocity bill was being pushed mainly by residents in Aiken County, who travel daily into Augusta.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016 News 12 NBC 26 at 11 O'Clock

CSRA (WRDW/WAGT) -- South Carolina lawmakers are locked and loaded as the last day of the session closes in. But some senators are keeping one law grounded, which is causing a tie up at the South Carolina-Georgia border.

"Sooner or later we're going to have to address this issue, killing the law now is just going to frustrate a lot of voters," Steve Fishman said.

The gun reciprocity law would allow people with Georgia concealed weapons permits to bring their firearms over the border. Fishman is the owner of Sidney's in Augusta, he thinks the law change is long overdue.

"I can be in South Carolina six times today and back in Georgia, that's how close we really are," Fishman said.

The new amendments added onto the law are making it difficult to pass with the legislative session ending Thursday at 5 PM. One of the biggest hold ups is the training required for each state.

"If you actually want to have standards, you should up your standards actually and actually make sure people can shoot competently," Edwin Kronberger said, manager at The Gun Rack in Aiken," Because I've seen people who barely pass or don't actually pass, which is stunning."

Right now South Carolina requires some training, but Kronberger says it's not enough, especially if Senators want Georgia held to the same standards.

"If you want my frank opinion, I think part of the reason why all these amendments were added was to stonewall and actually kill the bill," Kronberger said.

So while Senators possibly delay the bill yet again, it's people here on the border trying to do the right thing they will be hurting and waiting till next session for the bill to come up again.

"The people who come to my shop want to obey laws and want to handle things on a legitimate basis," Fishman said.