Columbia council repeals weapons ban at SC Statehouse

Columbia City Council repealed its controversial temporary weapons ban for the State House perimeter on Tuesday.

Council voted 5-0 with little discussion. Leona Plaugh and Moe Baddourah were not present.

Council banned guns within 250 feet of the State House at the request of law enforcement when the KKK announced it would rally there to protest the state’s removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds. There already is a ban against weapons on the grounds themselves.

One Lexington County resident sued last week, saying the ban was illegal. This week, state Attorney General Alan Wilson issued an opinion that it was illegal.

Sarah Ellis

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 7:20 AM with the headline "Columbia council repeals weapons ban at SC Statehouse."