South Carolina Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does South Carolina have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. No state-level ban on assault-style weapons or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private transfers are exempt from background checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales. |
| Is South Carolina a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. No duty to retreat under Castle Doctrine. |
| What kind of restrictions does South Carolina have? |
|
| Does South Carolina have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No specific safe-storage law; child-access prevention is limited. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in South Carolina? | ✅ Yes. No state limit on purchase quantity. |
| Does South Carolina have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. No ERPO or red-flag law exists. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in South Carolina? | 🚫 No. No state firearm registration required. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No purchase permit required; private background check rules don’t apply. Federal check required via dealer. |
| Does South Carolina have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No state waiting period; only dealer check processing time. |
🚫 No. No state-level ban on assault-style weapons or high-capacity magazines.
🚫 No. Private transfers are exempt from background checks.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
✅ Yes. No duty to retreat under Castle Doctrine.
- ℹ️ Permitless carry for 18+ since March 2024 (constitutional carry).
- ℹ️ No waiting period or universal background checks.
- ℹ️ Teflon-coated ammunition is banned.
⚠️ No specific safe-storage law; child-access prevention is limited.
✅ Yes. No state limit on purchase quantity.
🚫 No. No ERPO or red-flag law exists.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. No state firearm registration required.
🚫 No purchase permit required; private background check rules don’t apply. Federal check required via dealer.
🚫 No state waiting period; only dealer check processing time.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does South Carolina allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18 and older as of March 7, 2024 (constitutional carry law). |
| Does South Carolina allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for those 18 and older. Optional permits (CWPs) are available for reciprocity. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal to carry for self-defense without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places and private property (with consent). Legal in personal vehicles. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, polling places, hospitals, churches (unless approved), and posted “no firearms” areas. |
| States honored? | ✅ South Carolina honors permits from states that recognize its own and meet similar requirements. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ South Carolina CWPs are recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. CWP is valid for 5 years, requires training, background check, and is used for reciprocity with other states.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18 and older as of March 7, 2024 (constitutional carry law).
✅ Legal without a permit for those 18 and older. Optional permits (CWPs) are available for reciprocity.
✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal to carry for self-defense without a permit.
✅ Most public places and private property (with consent). Legal in personal vehicles.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, polling places, hospitals, churches (unless approved), and posted “no firearms” areas.
✅ South Carolina honors permits from states that recognize its own and meet similar requirements.
✅ South Carolina CWPs are recognized in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional. CWP is valid for 5 years, requires training, background check, and is used for reciprocity with other states.
- Issued by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Hunter Education | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
South Carolina Leadership
- Born: May 27, 1947 (Columbia, SC)
- Term Started: January 24, 2017
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor (2015–2017), Attorney General (2003–2011)
- Born: July 9, 1955 (Central, SC)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2003
- Committees:
- Budget (Chairman)
- Appropriations
- Judiciary
- Environment and Public Works
- Born: September 19, 1965 (North Charleston, SC)
- Senate Service: Since January 2, 2013
- Committees:
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs (Chairman)
- Finance
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship