The Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) released a report showing unlawful carrying of a weapon is the most recurring charge in the 18 and older population at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center (SACDC). “We are examining the latest jail data to improve public safety in Charleston County. Next, we need to understand how the Unlawful Carry charge is used and explore the next steps, such as firearm possession education or exploring the underlying causes of why firearms are being unlawfully possessed”, said Lea Ann Adkins, CJCC Co-Vice Chair, and legal coordinator at One80 Place.  

Report findings of note include:
  • Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon is the top recurring charge.
  • In the SACDC, firearm possession violations led as the most frequently occurring charge in 2022 and 2023, and as the second most frequently occurring charge in 2020 and 2019.
  • From January through October 2023, 742 individuals were booked into the SACDC with the Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon charge.
  • Of those booked into the SACDC with the Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon charge, 90-92% are men and 88-91% are Black.
  • Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon is the most frequent charge for those 34 years old and younger.