South Carolina is often seen as a stronghold of conservative values, but recent moves by Republican leaders in the state House have left pro-gun South Carolinians outraged. With a Republican supermajority in Columbia, you’d expect a steadfast defense of Second Amendment rights. Instead, GOP leadership is empowering anti-gun Democrats while sidelining conservative representatives.
The Latest Shake-Up: A Betrayal of Pro-Gun Voters
The controversy began when Republican House leadership removed Representative John McCravy, a staunch defender of gun rights, from his position as subcommittee chairman in the Judiciary Committee. Shockingly, he was replaced by Representative Beth Bernstein, a Democrat with a track record of voting against pro-gun legislation like Constitutional Carry multiple times.
And that’s not all. House Speaker Murrell Smith handed key committee chairmanships to prominent Democrats like Leon Stavrinakis, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, and even Democratic Caucus Leader Todd Rutherford. What’s even worse is that all of these Democrats have terrible records on the Second Amendment and supported legislation to enact “Lock Up Your Safety” Laws, expanding gun-free zones and even Universal Gun Registration. These appointments raise a serious question: why would Republican leadership choose to empower anti-gun Democrats in a state where conservatives dominate?
A History of Undermining Conservatives
This isn’t the first time Republican leaders in South Carolina have shown their true colors. Just recently, they spent over $3 million in an unsuccessful attempt to unseat some of the most pro-gun representatives in the state. Despite their efforts, those representatives were reelected with strong support from their pro-gun constituents.
To make matters worse for leadership, Assistant Majority Leader Jay West, a noted RINO (Republican In Name Only), was replaced by a Freedom Caucus member, further challenging the GOP establishment’s grip on power.
Instead of embracing this shift toward true conservatism, Speaker Smith and his allies are doubling down on their alliance with Democrats.
The Cost of Betraying the Second Amendment
For South Carolinians who cherish their constitutional rights, the betrayal is clear: Republican leadership would rather work with anti-gun Democrats than support their own pro-gun colleagues. Your Palmetto Gun Rights has repeatedly called out these backroom deals.
During the recent primaries, Palmetto Gun Rights exposed Speaker Smith and his allies for being more interested in attacking conservatives than fighting gun control. Sadly, this prediction has come true.
The Path Forward: Gun Owners Must Take Action
Now is the time for South Carolina’s gun owners to send a clear message: we will not stand for this betrayal. With Speaker Smith continuing to prioritize political deals over conservative values, it’s critical for voters to hold the GOP leadership accountable.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Email the Republican House Caucus and demand that they stop empowering anti-gun Democrats. It only takes a few seconds using Palmetto Gun Rights’ easy-to-use form RIGHT HERE.
2. Support the Fight for Transparency. Click here to chip in $10 or even $5 to help expose the misdeeds of Columbia’s political swamp in the upcoming legislative session.
Draining the Swamp
As the political waters clear, the corruption in South Carolina’s statehouse becomes increasingly apparent. It’s time for pro-gun South Carolinians to unite and demand better from their leaders. The Second Amendment is too important to be undermined by backroom deals and political games.
Let’s hold South Carolina’s Republican leadership accountable and ensure that they represent the values of the voters who put them in office.
Unless gun owners act today, they can expect the same obstinate behavior from lawmakers in Columbia.
