US Rep. Sherri Biggs, Sandy Hook Promise & SLED

Gun Rights Protected Under Two New Bills Authored by Congresswoman Sheri Biggs — Legislation Cuts Red Tape and Defends the Second Amendment, lawmaker says

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheri Biggs (R-SC-03) has introduced two bills that defend the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans: The Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act and the No Frivolous Applications for Short-Barreled Shotguns Act. Both bills have already earned strong support from major Second Amendment organizations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR). Twenty-five Members of Congress have joined Congresswoman Biggs as original cosponsors of the bills.

Biggs’ Congressional district includes Laurens County.

“South Carolinians and Americans across the country deserve leaders who will protect their constitutional rights — not bureaucrats who tie them up with red tape,” said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs. “These bills restore common sense, stand up for the Second Amendment, and make sure freedom isn’t lost to outdated laws and regulations.”

The Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act repeals the federal prohibition on mailing concealable firearms through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). By ensuring that lawful gun owners and small businesses can ship firearms safely and reliably through USPS, the bill prevents future administrations from weaponizing postal policy against Second Amendment rights.

The No Frivolous Applications for Short-Barreled Shotguns Act removes short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) from unnecessary federal regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA), eliminating costly and burdensome registration requirements. Law-abiding citizens will no longer have to pay a $200 tax or complete months-long paperwork just to own a practical firearm for self-defense.

Congresswoman Sheri Biggs continued, “Freedom shouldn’t be measured by the length of a shotgun barrel or limited by a post office counter. These bills defend personal liberty, protect small businesses, and make it clear that in America — especially in South Carolina’s 3rd District — we still believe in the Constitution. I am proud to fight for gun owners, hunters, and defenders of freedom.”

Supporting Quotes:

“The ability to ship a handgun through the U.S. Postal Service is critically important to the firearm industry and this legislation to remove archaic restrictions, while maintaining safeguards for firearm security, is the right legislation at the right time,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. “Handguns are overwhelmingly the most popular-selling firearms in America. The transfer of handguns is more restrictive than that for rifles and shotguns, which are not subject to the same U.S. Postal Service restrictions. Congresswoman Sheri Biggs’ legislation would remove these antiquated barriers while maintaining the same security safeguards as required by other firearms for shipment. The firearm industry is grateful for Representative Biggs’ leadership to bring our laws into the 21st Century.”

“Federal laws and regulations inexplicably prohibit the mailing of handguns and ammunition, even though it is completely legal to mail rifles, shotguns, and other firearm accessories,” added John Commerford, Executive Director of NRA-ILA. “Due to these restrictions, the only lawful method for sending these products is through a common carrier. Unfortunately, major common carriers have limited the ability to ship firearms and firearm parts beyond what is required by law, leaving individuals with few options. This important legislation will ensure that gun owners have the ability to legally mail their handguns and ammunition for lawful purposes.”

“Transporting firearms is an essential component of the Second Amendment. Therefore, the National Association for Gun Rights supports the Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act,” continued the National Association for Gun Rights. “The U.S. Postal Service should not be in a position to arbitrarily restrict the otherwise lawful transportation of certain firearms. Private carriers already handle all types of firearms every day.”

“The NRA commends Representative Sheri Biggs for introducing the No Frivolous Application for Short-Barreled Shotguns (NFA SBS) Act which will remove short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) from the National Firearms Act,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “Law-abiding Americans should not have to pay the ATF a $200 tax and complete onerous and unnecessary paperwork in order to purchase these practical tools for self-defense. It’s time to repeal this antiquated restriction on our right to bear arms.”

“For nearly 100 years, the National Firearms Act has regulated certain shotguns for no particular reason. This has resulted in a series of bizarre, inconsistent, and politically motivated determinations on which shotguns are regulated by the NFA and which are treated like ordinary firearms under federal law,” said the National Association for Gun Rights. “The No Frivolous Applications for Short-Barreled Shotguns (NFA SBS) Act, supported by the National Association for Gun Rights, would simply end the confusion by putting all shotguns on an even playing field under federal law.”

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Sandy Hook Promise Statement on Myrtle Beach Mass Shooting

NEWTOWN, Conn. – Eleven people were injured after gunshots broke out at the popular tourist destination of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. After officers responded to a disturbance involving multiple people, one of those involved in the incident began firing a weapon. A responding officer shot and killed one person “based on the immediate threat.” The deceased person has been identified as an 18-year-old from South Carolina.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 8 mass shootings in South Carolina since the start of 2024. Additionally, South Carolina’s overall gun death rate increased 37% between 2013 and 2022, based on most recent available finalized data from CDC. There were 1,105 gun deaths in the state in 2022.

In response to this attack, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement: 

“What does it say about us as a nation when it’s no longer safe to take your family to a vacation destination without the fear of being injured or killed in a mass shooting? It’s an awful reality, but things don’t have to be this way. There is so much we can do to prevent tragedies like these, without infringing our constitutional right to legally own firearms. When we address the root causes of violence and teach everyone how to recognize the warning signs, we can save lives.

“We stand with those who were injured and must now recover from this incident. Now is the time to take action to prevent future tragedies.

“South Carolina does not have legislation regarding safe firearm access or temporary transfer orders, which are proven to save lives by keeping guns out of the hands of at-risk individuals. Laws such as these promote safe and responsible gun ownership that keeps people safe. We call on South Carolina voters and legislators to pass life-saving bills like these and build a safer future for all.”

For more information about proven violence prevention programs, resources to help communities heal from a tragedy, and information about ways to support life-saving firearm access policies, please visit sandyhookpromise.org.

Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. 

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SLED INVESTIGATING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN HORRY COUNTY 

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Saturday evening, April 26, 2025, in Horry County. 

Officers with the Myrtle Beach Police Department encountered a disturbance on North Ocean Boulevard where an armed man was shooting a gun into a crowd. An officer returned fire at the armed man. The man was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. The Horry County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Jerrius Davis, 18. Eleven people were injured in the shooting and taken to the hospital for medical treatment. No law enforcement officers were injured. SLED was requested to investigate by the Myrtle Beach Police Department. 

This is an ongoing investigation. As such, no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time. 

SLED conducts law enforcement officer involved shooting (OIS) investigations at the request of the agency involved in the incident or the agency with jurisdiction. When requested to investigate an OIS, SLED’s goal is to conduct a thorough, independent criminal investigation as timely as is possible under the circumstances. SLED agents will conduct interviews with all potential witnesses in this matter. Further, SLED will collect all relevant evidence and will forensically test such evidence as needed. Information gathered in the SLED investigation of the incident will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors. 

The incident in Horry County is the 17th officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2025. This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the Myrtle Beach Police Department this year. 

In 2024, there were 45 officer involved shootings in South Carolina. 

The Myrtle Beach Police Department had no officer involved shootings last year. 

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