Charleston, S.C. – On the 10th anniversary of the tragic Charleston church shooting, lawmakers gathered at a town hall hosted by the South Carolina Democratic Party to reflect on the event and push for stronger gun laws. The shooting, which took place on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel AME Church, claimed the lives of nine innocent people during a Bible study. It has since become a rallying point for gun violence prevention advocates and lawmakers alike, as they continue the fight to close loopholes and strengthen background check systems.
The Charleston Loophole and Its Impact
The shooter, who was able to purchase a gun despite a previous drug charge, exploited a gap in the federal background check system—now known as the “Charleston Loophole.” The loophole allows gun sales to proceed if the FBI does not complete a background check within three business days. In this case, the sale was finalized before the background check could be completed, allowing the shooter to legally purchase the firearm used in the attack.
Efforts to Close the Loophole
Since the shooting, lawmakers, including Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), have repeatedly pushed for changes to the law. Clyburn introduced the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which aims to give the FBI up to 20 business days to complete background checks before a sale can go through. Although the bill has passed the House twice, it has stalled in the Senate, leaving advocates frustrated.
“I’ll never stop fighting to pass this law,” said Clyburn in a June 17 video posted to mark the anniversary of the shooting.
Support for Universal Background Checks
At the town hall, Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who was partially paralyzed after being shot in the head during a 2011 event, shared her experience and advocacy for gun violence prevention. Her husband, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, also weighed in on the topic, emphasizing that universal background checks should not be a partisan issue.
“Universal background checks are supported by over 80% of people in South Carolina and over 90% across the country,” Kelly said, noting the broad bipartisan support for such policies.
Community Violence Intervention Programs
In addition to background check reforms, there was discussion about the importance of community violence intervention programs in reducing gun violence. However, these programs are at risk due to constraints in the South Carolina state budget.
State Sen. Deon Tedder highlighted the importance of these programs, which are designed to target communities at risk of gun violence. “These organizations are on the ground, working with youth and families affected by trauma,” Tedder said. “They are trusted members of the community who can build relationships and prevent further violence.”
The Continued Fight for Change
While background checks are a key issue, there is also growing support for broader measures to prevent gun violence, including the extension of background checks to 10 business days and additional reforms that address the root causes of gun violence.
Senator Kelly stressed the urgency of fixing the current system to avoid another tragedy like the one in Charleston. “If this doesn’t get fixed, we wind up in more situations like the one you saw here in Charleston,” Kelly warned.
Gabby Giffords also emphasized the importance of courage in the fight against gun violence. “Stopping gun violence takes courage,” she said. “The courage to do what’s right. Now is the time to come together. Democrats, Republicans, Independents – we must never stop fighting. Fight, fight, fight. Be bold, be courageous, the nation is counting on you.”
Looking Ahead
Despite setbacks, advocates and lawmakers remain determined to push for change. As the anniversary of the Charleston church shooting serves as a painful reminder of the need for reform, the fight for stronger gun laws and background check systems continues, with the hope that one day, such a tragedy will never happen again.
