From Staff Reports · The Herald
Updated 12/16/08

South Carolina is among the top exporters, per capita, of illegal guns to other states. It seems that gun control advocates and gun owners alike would be able to find common ground in seeking ways to reduce illegal gun sales.

The South, in general, is the region where most illegal guns originate, according a recent report by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition made up of more than 340 mayors from across the nation. For 2007, the top sources for guns used in crimes elsewhere were Georgia, Florida, Texas, Virginia, California, Ohio, North Carolina, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Alabama.

Although South Carolina doesn’t make that list, it is near the top of another one. The Palmetto State was third on the list of per capita exports of guns.

West Virginia is the top exporter, per capita, with 41 illegal guns traced per 100,000 state residents. Mississippi was second, with 39 guns per 100,000, and South Carolina was next, with 31.

The average national rate is 11 per 100,000. The report’s authors said per capita exports of guns are a good indicator of lax gun laws within those states…

Only nine states and Washington, D.C., now require some form of background check for handgun sales at gun shows, and the National Rifle Association has strongly opposed efforts to close the so-called “gun-show loophole.” But with the success of background checks on sales by licensed dealers, we think background checks for handgun sales at gun shows are a reasonable idea.

Legitimate buyers would have nothing to fear. The check could be conducted instantly, and unlicensed dealers could have licensed dealers perform the service if necessary.

Background checks at gun stores already prevent hundreds of thousands of illegal purchases each by felons, fugitives, domestic violence abusers, the mentally ill and other prohibited buyers. We see no reason why gun shows should be excluded from this safeguard.

Granted, the vast majority of those who attend gun shows are legitimate sellers or buyers. The criminal in search of guns to carry across state lines is the exception.

But as this report makes clear, a lot of guns are being taken out of South Carolina and used by criminals in other states. That’s a problem the state should address.