The sheriff of Spartanburg County is a getting national publicity for comments he made after an attempted rape allegedly committed by a repeat offender. Sheriff Chuck Wright urged women to obtain concealed carry permits to protect themselves against people like Walter Lance, a convicted felon with a history of violent crimes dating back to 1983. According to Sheriff Wright, the presence of Walter Lance in the community illustrates the flaws in the criminal justice system. He made similar remarks after a suspected in a Spartanburg police shooting was arrested in Virginia.

Whether or not you agree with Sheriff Wright, his comments raise some important questions. Does widespread carrying of concealed firearms make a community safer? The National Rifle Association says yes, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence says no. Almost all states agree with the NRA and allow individuals to obtain permits to carry concealed weapons at some level. The federal government has its own rules about carrying weapons.

Some opponents of concealed carry point to the possibility that criminals could obtain legal weapons. Others note that few criminals are going to go through the legal process to get a permit - they can obtain weapons by different means and will do so. Some police officers oppose concealed carry because of the risk to law enforcement personnel; if every traffic stop carries the risk of getting shot, the reasoning goes, police will naturally become less aggressive about fighting crime.

Carrying a concealed weapon South Carolina is not simply a matter of going to a gun shop and buying a gun. To obtain a permit, you must present proof of residence, proof of corrected or actual 20/40 vision, proof of firearms training, and have your fingerprints taken. Sounds easy enough, right?

However, once you obtain your permit, you need to keep in mind all the places where you cannot legally carry your weapon, despite having a permit. These include law enforcement offices, jails and prisons, courthouses, polling places, government offices, athletic events, preschools and day care facilities, hospitals and doctor's offices, churches and other houses of worship, private property where the owner prohibits weapons, and places where federal law prohibits weapons.

In addition, South Carolina permit holders need to stay aware of the laws of other states; some will accept your permit, while others will not.

Bottom line, having a permit to carry a concealed weapon is a big responsibility. It's important to know your rights and understand the restrictions imposed by the South Carolina Law concealed carry law.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "South Carolina sheriff tells women to carry concealed firearms", Nov.1, 2011.