COLUMBIA, S.C. — State lawmakers are taking a closer look at the rise in youth gun violence, in a newly formed House Ad Hoc committee.

In its first meeting on Wednesday, the committee reviewed new data from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which showed dozens of minors charged with murder last year. Committee Chairman Rep. Brandon Cox had been gathering data and meeting with agencies since August.

According to SLED, 57 minors were charged with murder in 2024, and 1,644 were accused of weapons law violations. In total, 25,493 minors committed crimes, about 7% of all criminal offenses statewide.

Just over the weekend, three teenagers were shot and injured at a Halloween party in Blythewood. Deputies said hundreds of other kids were there unsupervised.

Rep. Kambrell Garvin,

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