Senators prefile multiple gun regulation bills

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Seven out of the nearly 40 Senate bills prefiled Wednesday tackle issues connected to gun regulation in South Carolina.

Two of the bills, prefiled by Darlington Senator Gerald Malloy, would ban firearms sales until a federal background check is completed, and extends the background check waiting period from three days to 28 days.

RELATED: Read the seven prefiled Senate gun bills.

South Carolina's gun laws came under scrutiny in the wake of the Charleston Church Shooting June 17th, when FBI officials stated a mistake in the background search allowed Dylann Roof to purchase a handgun from Shooter's Choice in West Columbia.

The other five firearms-related prefiled Senate bills were filed by Charleston Senator Marlon Kimpson propose adding assault weapons to the list of banned weapons under state law, which includes sawed-off shotguns and machine guns. Senator Kimpson also proposed requiring a statewide firearms permit for purchasing weapons.

State representatives have pledged to push new gun regulations when lawmakers return in January. Richland County Representative Beth Bernstein announced her intention shortly after the June shooting to prefile background check legislation.

Other Senate bills prefiled Wednesday include resolutions to prohibit the state from taking on refugees temporarily, as well as banning South Carolina cities from taking on sanctuary citizen status.

The House prefiles legislation beginning Thursday.

Both the House and Senate can submit more prefiled bills next week.

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