Supporters Rally for Bill to Close Charleston Loophole

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)-People from all over South Carolina came out to support bill S.516, designed to extend the background check period to five days to close what many call the Charleston Loophole, a flaw that allows gun buyers like Emanuel 9 shooter Dylann Roof to get a gun if they do not hear FBI in three days.

Moms demand action and mothers against crime traveled from the Lowcountry to stand behind the legislation with dozens of members like Evangelist Tyese Miller who’s 19-year old-son was robbed and fatally shot 20 years ago.

“I am honored to come out here today and support this bill because I do think the bill is important and do think we need the bill and we need to vote the people out that are not going to be with us in this gun law, they haven’t done anything in three years,” said Miller.

The senate bill is sponsored by Democrat Marlon Kimpson and Republican Greg Gregory. Though Gregory was the only Republican at the rally, others said they are listening to concerns.

“It’s good to have folks up here expressing their views, we don’t have enough of that so we actually rely on the population  coming up here, our constituents coming up here and letting us know what they think about an issue,” said Beaufort Representative Bill Herbkersman.

The bill was discussed in subcommittee before Tuesday’s rally.