Although the very early release of a handful of convicted criminals does threaten public confidence in our judicial system, as S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s office noted, it’s not logical to argue that it also underscores the need for lawmakers to “close the revolving door on violent offenders and crack down on career criminals and illegal guns.”

The Legislature absolutely needs to pass both measures, and we’re particularly disturbed that lawmakers who claim to support police and making our communities safer are blocking efforts to increase the penalties for convicted criminals caught with guns.