By FITSNews || Packin’ heat on the D.L. (at least legally) is about to become more expensive in South Carolina …
The S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is reportedly raising fees on concealed weapons permit (CWP) holders, including GOP gubernatorial nominee Nikki Haley (who received her CWP in 2008).
This week, SLED sent a notice to CWP instructors alerting them to the fact that permits will no longer be accepted in the mail. In fact, after July 9, if citizens wish to obtain a new permit or renew an existing permit, they will be required to schedule an appointment with a company that SLED has hired to collect and store their fingerprint information.
Fingerprints are already required for CWPs, but under the new system being implemented by the agency they must be collected digitally by a representative of the company – a major headache for CWP holders.
In addition to the wasted time, an additional $10 fee will be associated with the inconvenience.
SLED – which is part of Gov. Mark Sanford’s cabinet – is operating on a $63.7 million budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year. That’s $2.4 million less than it received a year ago, which is interesting when you consider that this year’s S.C. budget (post-vetoes, anyway) is the largest in state history.
So much for funding core functions of government, right?
Also, we’re surprised that Gov. Sanford – who vetoed fee increases for the state’s court system after they were initially exposed by FITS – would permit one of his cabinet agencies to turn around and quietly raise fees less than a month later.
Incidentally, S.C. Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) has sponsored legislation that would require the General Assembly to approve any fee increases beforehand – a move that would save Palmetto state taxpayers millions. Davis’ bill passed the S.C. Senate (amazingly) but was bogged down in the S.C. House by Rep. Danny Cooper, chairman of the Ways & Means Committee.
UPDATE: We just spoke with SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd who confirmed the $10 charge but says that it’s not a fee his agency is collecting. Lloyd says the money will go directly to Lifescan, the company collecting the fingerprints. Lloyd also says that the new electronic system will reduce processing time from three months to “a couple of weeks.”
By stevetclark July 2, 2010 at 2:27 pm
If the NRA endorses Sheheen like they are endorsing Reid and Ted Strickland the Democratic nominee for governor then I am going to be pissed.
By stevetclark July 2, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Strickland is the Democratic nominee for governor in Ohio
By Ricky Ticky Tavy July 2, 2010 at 2:56 pm
of course you will stevetclark…because God forbid you vote for a D…even if they might be more in line with your sorry ass
By sclawboy July 2, 2010 at 3:09 pm
If the itchy-trigger-finger crowd has to pay more to pack heat and accidentially shoot themselves, fine by me…
By big dave July 2, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I would have gladly paid $10 to get my CWP processed in weeks rather than 3 months. I think I paid $15 to get my prints taken.
By SC Gun Guy July 2, 2010 at 4:14 pm
SLED is clearly violating several state laws. SLED has NO authority to raise the CWP fees without permission from the General Assembly. SC Code of Laws Sections 23-32-215(A)(6) and 23-31-215(P)(1) both state that the permit application fee will be $50 (not $60).
For some time now, SLED has not been requiring new fingerprints to be submitted for CWP renewals, but they have said all renewals will be required to jump through the same hoops with L-1 Identity Solutions beginning 2 August. SLED claims this is the law, but Section 23-31-215(P) (which governs renewals) does not mention submitting new fingerprints. New fingerprints are not necessary since they do not normally change much over the years.
Section 23-31-215(7) states “A law enforcement agency may charge a fee not to exceed five dollars for fingerprinting an applicant.” It does NOT say they can charge $10 for fingerprints. SLED claims this is ok because L-1 ID Solutions is “not a law enforcement agency” but we are told SLED contracted with L-1 as the EXCLUSIVE provider, and no fingerprints will be accepted from any other source, so L-1 is acting as the agent for SLED – a law enforcement agency. SLED also tries to say “well, this means $5 PER fingerprint card, and there are 2 submitted.” OK…but you don’t TAKE 2 sets of fingerprints if L-1 is using a hand scanning system, right? They scan ONCE and print 2 sets. Do they charge $10 because they hit the “print” button twice???
Section 23-31-216 says “The State Law Enforcement Division shall collect, retain, expend, and carry forward all fees associated with the concealable weapon application, renewal, and replacement of the permit, as provided pursuant to this article.” But SLED says they will NOT be the ones collecting the fees from now on. SLED says L-1 will collect the $60 fee. If SLED is doing LESS work to process the CWPs and administer the program, and L-1 is taking on much of SLED’s work, why then is it that SLED does not reduce their part of the cost to $40 so that L-1 can have $10 without raising the total fees? Efforts to raise the CWP fees have been defeated in the General Assembly in the past, so what makes SLED think they can get away with doing it arbitrarily? The cost is written into SC Law. SLED cannot (lawfully) disregard SC Law just because they want more money.
Its time for a class action lawsuit against SLED. EVERY SC CWP holder who is forced to pay $60 instead of $50 has grounds to sue SLED.
By SnakeMD July 2, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I’m a firm believer in more gun control. “GUN CONTROL–USE BOTH HANDS!”
My wife is always asking me why I buy so much ammo. She keeps asking me if I have enough. I keep telling her the only time you have too much ammo is when your house is on fire.
Semper fi…
By countryboy July 2, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Folks – I started to ask you if you knew where Nikki concealed her weapon, but never mind. Just let me fantasize.
By @PerezHiltonSays July 2, 2010 at 7:25 pm
As long as we can CWC legally who cares, small price to pay for an opportunity to uh um protect ones self.
By Mike Honcho July 2, 2010 at 11:46 pm
I love running through these stories at the same time.
Here is a classic Will Folks post.
Step One: Take a partial truth.
Step Two: Drop a “exclusive” inside information about the latest person you betrayed.
Step Three: Back track to a story you wrote earlier in the day
Step Four: Take credit for exposing something that wasn’t a secret to anyone.
Step Five: Promote an agenda item of a crony, who you will one day betray. [Editor's Note: See Step Two]
Step Six: Update the misinformation you took as gospel truth from a single source without removing any of the bullshit editorial comments you made based on a flawed premise. [Editor's Note - FITS-style: We know, you got it from multiple sources and no one from SLED would call you back because you called right before you post the story and say they wouldn't return your call.]
Step Seven: Hilarity ensues.
You might be confusing predictable and reliable.
By sid July 3, 2010 at 1:34 am
I doubt NRA would endorse Sheheen, it has not, as far as I can tell, endorsed Reid, and the Strickland endorsement makes perfect sense. According to news reports, Kasich (the RINO opponent) voted for Clinton’s semi-auto ban, has cast votes against handguns and gun shows, and once received an F from NRA. Only a partisan moron would question the Strickland endorsement.
By WorkingTommyC July 3, 2010 at 10:02 am
Why start requiring this for renewals again???
Do fingerprints change with age???
This is the same old corporate welfare, back-scratching crap that’s been going on forever. This time it’s SLED bureaucrats reaping some corrupt profit for their buddies.
And why, if self defense is an inalienable right, should we have to pay for a permit to practice an inalienable right? This is not freedom. This is slavery with temporary permissions to be a human being.
By Whippersnapper July 3, 2010 at 6:51 pm
At least South Carolina is an actual Concealed Carry state. In the People’s Republic of Maryland it’s next to impossible to get a concealed carry permit. Unless of course you’re one of the liberal ruling elite and make bogus claims that “right wingers” are out to get you.
By Surfcaster July 5, 2010 at 7:42 am
Has the Attorney General been consulted? It appears CWP holders and taxpayers are being being stuck.
By the MAN July 5, 2010 at 10:45 am
I agree with Gun Control means using both hands
By Darth July 6, 2010 at 4:14 pm
How secure is lifescan and who among the legislature are shareholders? Both issues demand discovery and if NRA sits silent (as they seem to hope some folks will over pending endorsements of Harry Reid and Jake Knotts) a greater hue and cry deserves to be raised…
By SC Gun Guy July 8, 2010 at 11:31 am
According to SLED and the Governor’s office, SLED is now backing off of the “Easy Path” system.
By WorkingTommyC July 9, 2010 at 9:55 am
I think they got scared, SC Gun Guy!
By sid July 10, 2010 at 2:00 am
I see Darth is drinking the GOA Kool Aid. You may want to visit the NRA website for info on Reid, and Knotts isn’t up this year. I doubt there are any “pending endorsements” for 2012. Try to keep up with current events.