Shooting in South Carolina?

Does anyone in the state of South Carolina mind explaining to me why an ex-convict would have a semi-automatic rifle, specifically an AK-47, in his possession? This weapon was used to gun down a 12 year old boy on Halloween who was trick or treating in this man's neighborhood, and the defense this ex-convict uses for his senseless act is that he feared he was being robbed. Why isn't the fact that he had a gun at all, any kind of gun, not popping up bigger flags in the media? Does the state of SC allow convicted felons to possess firearms of any kind? I'm mad as hell that this guy killed an innocent kid, but even more angry that he had the means to do so, and that there isn't a public outcry against it.