Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The National Walkout Day is having an impact on lawmakers in South Carolina.
On Wednesday, Senator Greg Gregory introduced a bill that would ban the sale of bump stocks and high capacity magazines, as well as raise the age of rifle purchases to 21.
While on the Senate floor, he spoke out encouraging students, who participated in the nation-wide protest against gun violence, to let their voices be heard.
"I encourage students out there, who are allowed to do it, to be rebels with a cause regardless of what anybody is saying about it," says Senator Gregory, R-Lancaster. "You certainly have the right to do that if your school allows it an we commend you for taking a stand on it."
His bill is the latest in a list of proposals at the State House that are working to end gun violence, especially in schools.
Senator Sandy Senn's school threat bill will soon be voted on by the Senate. The bill allows law enforcement to arrest people who make threats of gun violence against schools.
"There's really no adequate law right now that allows officers to make arrests based on threats," says Senator Senn, R-Charleston. "But the deal is that they would go to a mental health evaluation."
When it comes to the student walkouts, she understands their reasoning, but is concerned that the message could be misconstrued.
"I applaud their effort in giving them a voice," says Sen. Senn. "I wouldn't want people to try to use school as a platform for a lot of different political issues, but I understand what they're doing."
"Their voice is appreciated," says Senator Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston.
He proposed a bill that is now heading to the full Senate Judiciary Committee, that would increase the gun background check time from three to five days. The bill also cuts the time that court reporters have to report crimes to the SLED database.
"It's a small step," says Sen. Kimpson. "We have many more steps to go. How ironic that this occurs on a day that so many of our children are exercising our first amendment, calling for us to do something."
Another bill making its way through the State House would create a school metal detector committee.