Swansea, SC (SCDVA) - The South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs joined Champion Defense Shooting Complex (CDSC) to celebrate its third year of building a place where safety, skill, and community meet on the firing line. The December 13th event was about more than celebration. Hand-in hand with our 'Lock It' Campaign, CDSC helped drive forward the department's mission of preventing Veteran suicides. It was about showing what the complex represents: responsible ownership, strong partnerships, and taking care of people. Part of responsible gun ownership is keeping firearms locked up and reducing access to lethal means.

Our own Upstate Pathfinder Manager, Tito Vazquez, attended the event support a fellow Soldier and close friend, Jay Harris, who founded CDSC alongside his wife, Phylicia Harris. The two friends initially met at Fort Jackson where Harris and Vazquez worked side-by-side, leading from the front as a Commander and First Sergeant team. When Harris extended the invitation to celebrate his and Phylicia Harris' business Vazquez said he did not hesitate to show up on this important day.

"...because that’s what leaders and teammates do, show up for one another," Vazquez wrote.

A major highlight of the anniversary was bringing awareness to the 'Lock It' Campaign—a simple but powerful reminder that firearm safety starts long before you ever step onto the range. 'Lock It' promotes secure storage and smart habits: keeping firearms locked when not in use, storing them responsibly, and helping families, Veterans, and responsible owners reduce risk—especially during stressful seasons of life. Whether you’re new to shooting sports or a seasoned competitor, the principle remains the same: safe storage is part of the culture.

That range culture was on full display. From the long-range firing line to the multiple competition bays, you could feel the energy—shooters focused on fundamentals, pushing precision, and learning from one another. Events like the long-range competitions and the variety of matches hosted here don’t just sharpen skills—they build community and discipline. You see it in the way people prepare together, check equipment, coach one another, and keep the standard high. That’s the kind of environment where safety messaging like Lock It isn’t just a “speech”—it fits naturally into who we are.

To help turn good intentions into a daily habit, SCDVA made sure attendees left with goodies and awareness materials. From safe-storage information and Lock It reminders to practical takeaways that encourage every gun owner to make locking up the default, the goal was clear: promote a safer home and a safer community through responsible ownership.

Now, in 2026, SCDVA is proud to stand with the 'Lock It' Campaign as it continues working across South Carolina to promote responsible firearm storage, expand awareness, and support the well-being of our Veterans, families, and communities. It is organizations like CDSC, now three years strong, which help build a culture that protects what matters most. For more information, visit our 'Lock It' South Carolina webpage for methods of safe gun storage and other suicide-prevention initiatives.