South Carolina allows permitless concealed carry for those 21+ who can legally possess a firearm under S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-20 (effective March 7, 2024). A Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) is optional for reciprocity. You must be 21, complete training, and pass a background check for a CWP (S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-215). Prohibited places include schools and courthouses (S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-235). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 3 years).
Costs: CWP fee is $50 for 5 years. Training is $50-$100. Total: $100-$150.
Processing Time: Up to 90 days.
Renewal: $50 every 5 years.
Reciprocity: South Carolina honors permits from over 30 states; over 20 states honor South Carolina’s CWP.
South Carolina allows open carry without a permit for those 21+ who can legally possess a firearm (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-20). Restrictions apply in prohibited places like schools and courthouses (S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-235). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 3 years).
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South Carolina has no state bans on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-30). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-250). Violations of federal NFA rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
South Carolina requires a federal background check for dealer sales (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-30). Age minimum is 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns. No waiting period or permit is required. Private sales are unregulated. Violations are felonies (up to 5 years).
Costs: Background check is free; dealers may charge $10-$25.
Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.
South Carolina imposes no state requirement for firearm registration under S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-140, and there’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns. However, restricted items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers—known as NFA items—fall under federal registration law per 26 U.S.C. § 5841. These must be registered with the ATF, a requirement South Carolina recognizes in S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-250. Violations of federal NFA registration rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp for NFA items is $200.
South Carolina has no general storage laws. It’s illegal to provide firearms to minors under 18 without parental consent (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-30). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 3 years) or felonies (up to 5 years) if harm occurs.
Sources: [1]
South Carolina has a strong Castle Doctrine under S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-440. Deadly force is justified in your home, vehicle, or business if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm. No duty to retreat applies in these cases or in public (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-420). Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 30 years).
Sources: [1]