It doesn't give the reason for the Sheriff's refusal to issue a permit to acquire a handgun. Which, according to the article, seems to be at the discretion of the Sheriff...
So, S.C. is a "shall issue" state for permits to carry, but for a permit to purchase a handgun, the sheriff has discretion. Is this correct?
Iowa requires a permit to acquire handguns as well.... or, in lieu of the permit to acquire, the Permit to Carry Weapons is good for the purpose.
But for the permit to acquire, in IA, you must only pass a NICS check conducted by the Sheriff, and not be arrested for or under indictment for disqualifying offenses. There is no "discretion" by the Sheriff except as stated above.
So I'm curious as to the S.C. law... does the Sheriff have (personal)discretion for permits to acquire... but no discretion for permits to carry? That seems odd...
And if so, the story rather speaks to the BENEFIT of "May Issue."