State Senate passes bill to allow guns in restaurants, bars
The state Senate passed a bill on Thursday that would allow concealed weapons in restaurants and bars, The State reported. The bill cleared a hurdle when the Senate passed the proposal without the midnight curfew that Democrats had originally demanded.
The Senate voted to amend the bill and then sent a proposal to the House that would allow licensed individuals to carry concealed weapons in restaurants and bars provided that they don’t drink alcohol.
Businesses could also avoid the new regulations by posting a sign on their property that says that they don’t allow concealed weapons.
The Senate voted 34 to 3 to make minor changes to the bill’s language. Most of this week, the first week of legislative session, Senate debate has been focused on this bill.
If the House approves the bill and Gov. Nikki Haley signs it into law, 2nd Amendment supporters would boast a major victory. Advocates who attempted similar measures in the past found momentum last year because of national debate about expanding or limiting gun rights as a result of mass shootings nationwide.
— Natalie Pita, Assistant News Editor
Coroner releases names in Irmo murder-suicide
The Richland County Coroner’s Office released the identities of the four people who were killed in a murder-suicide in Irmo, multiple media outlets reported. Coroner Gary Watts said that 38-year-old Sheddrick Miller shot his family and then turned a gun on himself.
Kia Von Miller, 28; Kyler Devane Miller, 3; and Syrai Raquel Miller, 1, were all killed. It is still unknown exactly when the crime took place.
The Millers were active Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Sheddrick Miller owned owner a barber shop. Neighbors and customers said the shooting was not consistent with his personality.
“Everybody’s in awe; everybody’s shocked, because he catered to a lot of people in the community,” Christopher O’Berry, a customer at the barber shop, told WIS. “A lot of people around here went in there and got their hair cut, came and visited with him. He was a genuine character.”
The crime scene tape at the Forest Walk Court home was replaced by a memorial to Kyler and Syrai Miller composed of flowers and two teddy bears.
The incident is still under investigation.
—Natalie Pita, Assistant News Editor
$40,000 wall collapses, raising questions
A $40,000 retaining wall at a football field in Fairfield County crumbled over the weekend, WIS reported. Taxpayers are demanding answers, since the county spent $320,000 on the field.
The county finished construction for the project four months ago, yet the field still isn’t finished.
“What just ticks me off, I’m a taxpayer in this county and I just see y’all wave your arms and just — I’m taking a $4,000 check down there today to pay taxes and see it wasted like this? That’s what just disturbs me,” Clyde Wade, a Fairfield County citizen, told the TV station.
A huge section of the cinder block wall also took down a fence, which cost more than $40,000 to build, when it fell.
Fairfield County Administrator Milton Pope attributed the construction failure to heavy rain and saturation recently. Commercial developer Wanda Carnes had previously warned the county that the wall was constructed improperly, but she said that no one took heed of the warning.
—Natalie Pita, Assistant News Editor