Rep. Wendell Gilliard Issues Statement on the Republican Response to the Isle of Palms Shooting

My friends, it has finally happened.

Following the mass shooting on Isle of Palms last Friday, - GOOD FRIDAY - South Carolina Republican leaders have finally not only offered thoughts and prayers but called for purposeful action.

That this call had not been previously inspired by the epidemic of violence committed against Black and Brown people or that has been visited upon poorer neighborhoods is a conversation that will wait for another time, though it is one that we must have.

That this call follows a mass shooting at an important tourist location adjacent to an affluent neighborhood might just be a timely coincidence.

That the call is from the Leaders of the Republican Party and not our own might be striking, “..the silence of our friends…” deafening.

That calling for the passage of H3532 might be the very least that can be done.

But at least and at Last, the leaders of the party that governs this state are calling for real action.

I join them in calling for passage of H3532 but I challenge them to join us in also passing:

○ H3013

○ H3055

and

○ S0224

If the time for action on gun violence has finally come to South Carolina, then I challenge all sides to not just begin the work but to work together to complete the task so that all people can be truly free to live, work, learn, play and pray in safety.