Beaufort County Council voted unanimously to pass Ordinance 2026/14 which adds a new section to County Ordinance prohibiting and making unlawful discharging firearms in certain areas of unincorporated Beaufort County. Civil penalties of no more than $500 per violation are included. Those who violate the ordinance will also be encouraged to attend a firearm safety course. 

Beaufort County citizens voiced concerns to County Council regarding gunfire incidents in heavily populated communities, and as a result the County proposed the ordinance.

Bringing together many stakeholders including Beaufort County Sheriff PJ Tanner, 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone, legal counsels from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and Beaufort County, County Administrator Michael Moore, representatives from SC Department of Natural Resources, Town of Port Royal Police Department and several County Council members, discussion covered a variety of options and penalties but after it went through the committee process, three readings and public hearing, the final version was voted on at Monday's full County Council meeting.

The proposed ordinance originated in the Community Services and Public Safety Committee, was voted out of committee for discussion and the vote of full Council, who then deferred the vote and sent it back to Community Services and Public Safety Committee for additional language changes. It was then voted forward for a full Council discussion and vote.

Read the final ordinance here.

Watch the Community Services and Public Safety Committee meeting discussion here.

Watch Monday's County Council final vote here.