Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateSouth CarolinaIntroduced
S 136: Dismissal of pending gun possession charges
Deon Tedder
S 136 status: Introduced — Act No. 260 (updated Sep 2, 2026).
Source
LegiScan
Confidence
High
Analysis basis
LegiScan full bill text
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
58OUT OF 100
Score:58/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 55/100
Constitutionality85%
Bipartisan70%
Public opinion60%
Bill summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-1-65, RELATING TO THE EXPUNGEMENT OF CONVICTIONS FOR THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE MUST DISMISS AND EXPUNGE CERTAIN PENDING UNLAWFUL HANDGUN POSSESSION CHARGES THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY/SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT OF 2024, AND TO PROVIDE THE DISMISSAL OF THESE CHARGES MAY NOT SERVE AS A BASIS OR SUPPORT FOR CIVIL ACTIONS DUE TO THE ARREST. - RATIFIED TITLE
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Mixed / Neutral
55%
Benefits
- Reduced state expenditures on legal proceedings for non-violent possession charges
- Decreased administrative burden on state court systems
- Lowered long-term costs associated with processing criminal records for past offenses
Risks
- Potential loss of fine or fee revenue associated with processed cases
- Administrative overhead required to identify and filter eligible cases
- Costs involved in re-evaluating existing case dockets
Society
Positive outlook
65%
Benefits
- Harmonizes past charges with current state constitutional carry policy
- Prevents ongoing criminal liability for conduct that is now legal
- Allows individuals to resolve past legal entanglements
Risks
- Concerns regarding the retroactive dismissal of charges
- Potential for public confusion regarding the status of pending firearm cases
- Unequal outcomes for those whose cases were settled prior to the bill's passage
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Implements a clear legislative directive to the judiciary
- Standardizes treatment of pending charges statewide
- Removes ambiguity surrounding the savings clause of the 2024 Act
Risks
- Limits prosecutorial discretion in ongoing cases
- Creates a mandate that may conflict with local prosecution priorities
- Potentially complicates future oversight of judicial dispositions
Public Health & Safety
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Reduces state-sanctioned criminalization of non-violent firearm possession
- Aligns state enforcement with updated Second Amendment policy
- Focuses public safety resources on violent crimes rather than possession
Risks
- Concerns regarding the dismissal of charges involving firearm-related behaviors
- Potential for inconsistent application if related charges are complex
- Arguments regarding the deterrence of unlawful possession behavior
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
LegiScan
Official bill text or data from LegiScan.
Confidence
High
Information is complete and verified.
Analysis basis
LegiScan full bill text
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
The bill explicitly mandates dismissal but contains complex interactions with 'other criminal offenses' which may lead to litigation.
Analysis scope
Source provided is the final version; specific implementation timelines for individual court dockets are not detailed.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
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06
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