Committee approves standard county sign policy on firearms language and advances ordinance to council

The Greenville County Public Safety and Human Services Committee voted to advance an ordinance that would standardize signage about firearms on county property and send the measure to county council for a second reading.

A committee member said the intent is to require that staff place only the statutory sign prescribed by state law at government building entrances, replacing a mix of nonstandard signs at county facilities such as convenience centers and the landfill. “The policy is that it is the policy director of Greenville County Council that with the exception of the statutory sign ... placed at the entry door of government buildings,” the committee member said, quoting the policy language and citing the South Carolina Code of Laws wording as referenced in the meeting.

The committee’s discussion noted that current practice had produced varying sign sizes and wording and that employees had reported feeling uncomfortable where nonstandard signs read like requests rather than the legal notice. The county attorney, Attorney Antley, told members the matter could be refined on second reading to add clarifications such as parade or festival exceptions.

The committee member moved to pass the ordinance out of committee and onto council for second reading; the motion carried by voice vote. Committee members present voted in favor. The ordinance will return to council where the public will have another opportunity to comment before any final action.

Ending: The committee advanced a draft county directive aligning county signage with the statutory language referenced during the meeting; exact sign dimensions and parade/festival exceptions will be considered at the council stage.