South Carolina gun owners spent nearly a decade fighting to restore their right to carry a firearm without first begging the government for permission.
And for years, one of the roadblocks standing in their way was Senator Stephen Goldfinch.
Today, some politicians would like gun owners to forget that history, but they deserve the full story.
Goldfinch Killed Constitutional Carry in 2019
Back in 2019, Constitutional Carry had momentum.
PGR was mobilizing gun owners, and the legislation had a real opportunity to advance.
Then Stephen Goldfinch, serving as the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman, blocked the legislation from even being heard in committee.
That decision prevented the bill from moving in time before the legislative crossover deadline, resulting in the death of Constitutional Carry without receiving a final vote from the full Senate.
At the end of session, when gun rights supporters were trying to bring Constitutional Carry back for one final push, Sen. Goldfinch voted against the effort to revive the bill.
For gun owners who had spent months fighting for the legislation, the result was the same as a direct “no” vote.
Constitutional Carry was dead.
And Stephen Goldfinch was the one holding the gavel.
Five Years Later, More Obstruction
Fast forward to 2024.
After years of grassroots activism from gun owners and relentless pressure from Palmetto Gun Rights, Constitutional Carry was once again moving through the legislature.
But instead of embracing the bill, Goldfinch attempted to gut Constitutional Carry through an anti-gun amendment that undermined its intent.
Among the changes he pushed were provisions that would have restricted the rights of South Carolinians by allowing businesses to ban carry for those who chose not to obtain a Concealed Weapons Permit, while increasing the time and cost of obtaining a permit.
Rather than expanding freedom, these amendments would have created two classes of gun owners.
In other words, Constitutional Carry in name only.
Actions Matter More Than Election-Year Talking Points
Passing Constitutional Carry took years of mounting pressure from thousands of gun owners who made it clear they were watching every vote, every amendment, and every procedural maneuver.
When evaluating elected officials, gun owners should look beyond campaign mailers and political talking points.
The real measure of a politician is what they do when legislation is on the line.
Eventually, gun owners forced Stephen Goldfinch to have no choice but to vote for Constitutional Carry.
But before he did, Goldfinch helped kill Constitutional Carry in 2019, and he attempted to gut it in 2024.
Now, in 2026, Stephen Goldfinch is refusing to return his Palmetto Gun Rights Candidate Survey ahead of the Attorney General primary on June 9th.
Gun owners can decide for themselves what that record says, but they shouldn’t be asked to forget it.
Rights are rarely secured by politicians acting on their own. They’re secured when citizens demand action and refuse to accept excuses.
That’s a lesson South Carolina gun owners learned firsthand during the long fight for Constitutional Carry.
And it’s a lesson worth remembering the next time politicians try to rewrite history.
Palmetto Gun Rights is the South Carolina affiliate of the National Association for Gun Rights, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)4, which does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate or public office holder. This communication is not authorized by any candidate, candidate’s committee, or political party. Donations are unlimited, but they are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Not paid for or mailed at taxpayer expense. 4711 Forest Drive, Ste 3, Box #298, Columbia, SC ∙ 29206 ∙ PalmettoGunRights.org
