Beaufort County Delays Gunfire Ordinance, Plans Revisions

Officials to meet with law enforcement to amend proposed law before next council meeting.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Beaufort County Council voted 6-2 to delay moving forward with a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to discharge firearms within 500 feet of buildings, parks, or playgrounds in certain unincorporated areas. The council heard concerns from residents and law enforcement about the ordinance's enforceability and potential infringement on rights. The county will now meet with local officials to revise the ordinance before the next council meeting.

Why it matters

The proposed ordinance was drafted in response to issues with rogue gunfire and property damage in some Beaufort County neighborhoods. However, many residents and officials expressed doubts about the ordinance's effectiveness and legality, leading the council to pause and reconsider the proposal.

The details

The current draft of the ordinance would prohibit discharging firearms within 500 feet of buildings, parks, or playgrounds in unincorporated areas of the county, unless granted permission by neighbors. Some residents argued the 500-foot rule would be difficult to enforce, and that existing state laws already criminalize reckless firearm use and discharging into dwellings. Law enforcement officials like Port Royal Police Chief Jeffery Myers supported the ordinance, citing incidents like a house being shot 7 times. However, other officials like former SC Department of Natural Resources chair Mike McShane warned the ordinance would be an "enforcement nightmare" and recommended changing the language.

  • The Beaufort County Council voted on the ordinance during their regular meeting on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • The council will meet again on March 23, 2026 to further discuss revisions to the ordinance.

The players

Jeffery Myers

Port Royal Police Chief who supported adopting a gunfire ordinance, citing an incident where a house was shot 7 times.

Eric Burman

A Beaufort County resident who argued the draft ordinance is not a good solution and that "we don't have to trade our rights for safety."

Mike McShane

A Charleston County resident and Beaufort County property owner who previously served as the chair of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and warned the 500-foot rule would be an "enforcement nightmare."

Jorge Guerrero

A Port Royal Councilman who agreed the ordinance language could be altered but disagreed that it would strip people's rights.

Joseph Passiment

A Beaufort County Councilman who said they need to ensure the sheriff and solicitor are on board with enforcing and prosecuting the ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“As far as enforceability, at least in this instance, enforceability of any type of ordinance would have been very easy.”

— Jeffery Myers, Port Royal Police Chief (WSAV)

“Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done fairly quickly, because we are going to have a tragedy.”

— Jeffery Myers, Port Royal Police Chief (WSAV)

“As a father of two little kids, I would be the first one here to come to you, ask you all to do something if somebody shot rounds into my house. But I think this draft ordinance is not it. This draft ordinance is not accountability. It's an illusion of safety.”

— Eric Burman, Beaufort County Resident (WSAV)

“I can tell you from experience that this is going to be an enforcement nightmare to do this. I already have experiences today where state law requires 300 yards, 900 feet. It's illegal to shoot within a residence. Even with that state law, we have difficulty having that enforced. So, what I ask council to consider is simply slowing this process down.”

— Mike McShane, Former Chair, SC Department of Natural Resources (WSAV)

“It's not about a land grab. It's not about a gun grab. It's got to be responsible gun ownership.”

— Jorge Guerrero, Port Royal Councilman (WSAV)

What’s next

The Beaufort County Council will meet again on March 23, 2026 to further discuss revisions to the proposed gunfire ordinance after meeting with local law enforcement and other officials.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of balancing public safety concerns with protecting individual rights when drafting new firearms regulations. The Beaufort County Council is taking a measured approach to revise the ordinance, recognizing the need to ensure enforceability and gain buy-in from law enforcement and the community.