The arms industry must be celebrating.
Democrats' gun control efforts are driving massive weapons sales.
More than 20 million new guns were sold in the US last year.
8 million of them went to 1st-time gun owners. 
The latest gun control-inspired move – the SC House-passed Constitutional Carry Act – has gone to the Senate.
If the Senate passes it, the bill would allow South Carolinians openly to carry a gun without a permit. 
The Chronicle has asked Lexington County senators how they plan to vote and why.
We will let you know what they say.
Sen. Dick Harpootlian, a former prosecutor, has gone on record as opposing the bill.
Harpootlian, an attorney with a quick wit, told WOLO-TV, “We need to assume that everyone out there is untrained. 
"Why do these people need to carry a gun openly? Is that because they feel threatened? Is a zombie apocalypse coming? Is it the Walking Dead? 
"What is it that they are so afraid of? 
"What I’d say is man up. You don’t need to carry a gun. 
"Is that some sort of sexual inadequacy?"
Harpootlian is 1 of 2 Lexington County Senate Democrats.
The other Democrat, Sen. Nikki Setzler of West Columbia, has not said how he will vote.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bobby Cox, says this will restore constitutional freedoms under the 2nd amendment.
"There’s a great sense of wanting to protect themselves and their families. It’s a great way to prevent some of those crimes from occurring,” he said.
The senate will debate this bill and the Open Carry with Training Act, a similar bill which insiders say has more chance of passing this year. 

For questions or comments, please email JerryBellune@yahoo.com

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