COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Lexington County resident filed suit Thursday, alleging the city of Columbia’s emergency ban on guns around the State House is unconstitutional.
The city’s temporary gun ban ordinance – passed July 9, during the period when the Confederate flag was removed, and set to expire Aug. 9 – causes him hardship and puts him in potential danger, said Walid Hakim in an affidavit attached to his lawsuit.
As a lawful concealed weapons permit holder, he won’t be able to protect himself when he is near the State House, his affidavit said.
“Unless prohibited by a valid law, I always carry at least one firearm on my person or in my car,” Hakim said. “I had planned to be near the State House for various lawful activities. Based on the ’emergency ordinance,’ I am forced to change my plans.”
Hakim’s lawsuit seeks to have a judge grant an injunction that would stop the city from enforcing the law.
State law says a city cannot enact ordinances that regulate firearms more than the state, Hakim’s suit said. Although state law prohibits citizens from carrying weapons on State House grounds, it does not restrict them from being carried just off State House grounds.
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