We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives of the state of South Carolina to amend S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-420(A) and 16-23-430(B) to allow Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) holders to carry firearms on public South Carolina post-secondary campuses.

In light of recent attacks on college campuses across the country, such as the recent stabbing at Ohio State University, it is apparent that now, more than ever, students must be allowed their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, especially on college campuses.

Current South Carolina law states:

"SECTION 16-23-420. Possession of firearm on school property; concealed weapons.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to possess a firearm of any kind on any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, other post-secondary institution, or in any publicly owned building, without the express permission of the authorities in charge of the premises or property. The provisions of this subsection related to any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary institution, do not apply to a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 when the weapon remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.

SECTION 16-23-430. Carrying weapon on school property; concealed weapons.

(B) This section does not apply to a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 when the weapon remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle."

Essentially, it is illegal for non-CWP holders to have any firearm on South Carolina college campuses, while CWP holders are allowed to leave their firearm in their motor vehicle, provided the vehicle is locked and the firearm is secured in a "closed container secured by an integral fastener." What use is a CWP permit to a college student like myself if I cannot regularly carry a firearm?

Why should students like myself be forced to choose between personal protection and the pursuit of a career?

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) website, as of December 31, 2015, there are 276,084 active CWP holders in South Carolina. In addition, there are over 14.5 million concealed carry permit holders nationwide. Publicly available data shows that CWP holders are a potent force for good.

A  2016 report by the Crime Prevention Research Center suggests that concealed carry permit holders are one of the most law-abiding groups in the country, with a crime rate (misdemeanors and felonies) of less than a sixth (2.4 per 100,000) the rate of police officers (16.5 per 100,000). In addition, while the nationwide concealed carry permit total has risen by as much as 190% from 2007-2015, the violent crime rate declined by 18% in that same period.

Only 18 states currently ban carrying a concealed weapon on college campuses, including South Carolina, while 24 states leave the decision up to the discretion of the college or university. 8 states, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, currently allow concealed carry on post-secondary campuses.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution states:

"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

It's time for South Carolina to join these states as the 9th state to allow concealed carry on college campuses and stop infringing upon the rights of the people.