Council committee advances ordinance to ban shooting within 100 feet of occupied structures in unincorporated areas

Charleston County’s public safety committee voted to advance a proposed county ordinance that would prohibit discharging a firearm within 100 feet of an occupied house, school, church or similar structure in unincorporated areas unless the owner of the nearby structure gives permission. The committee voted, by voice, to move the measure to third reading for further consideration. The ordinance was presented to the committee by Edward Phipps, general counsel for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. He described the proposal as aimed at preventing reckless or careless gunfire in densely developed unincorporated areas while protecting lawful firearm ownership.

The measure, as explained in committee discussion, would apply countywide but is expected to primarily affect urbanized unincorporated neighborhoods where houses, day‑care centers and schools sit close…