Clarify SC CW Law SECTION 16-23-465

[cmj]

I just want to be sure that I understand the law correctly about carrying into restaurants:
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SECTION 16-23-465. Additional penalty for unlawfully carrying pistol or firearm onto premises of business selling alcoholic liquors, beers or wines for on premises consumption.
In addition to the penalties provided for by Sections 16 11 330 and 16 23 460 and by Article 1 of Chapter 23 of Title 16, a person convicted of carrying a pistol or firearm into a business which sells alcoholic liquor, beer, or wine for consumption on the premises is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
In addition to the penalties described above, a person who violates this section while carrying a concealable weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, must have his concealed weapon permit revoked.
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For a straight up bar or nightclub this law is very clear.

BUT what about carrying into a restaurant that serves alcohol (99% of all eating establishments sell beer and/or wine)? Can anyone clarify the intent of the law? Like does the establishment have to make a % of sales off of alcohol to qualify?

Regards
CJ

[tattedupboy]

The wording of the law seems pretty clear to me in that it doesn't distinguish between different types of establishments that serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption or say that you can carry in some but not others. Simply put, whether it's Pizza Hut or a bar or nightclub, if alcoholic beverages are served for on-premises consumption, then you can't carry there, no exceptions.

[billwot]

Yup. Seems pretty clear to me.

"...premises of business selling alcoholic liquors, beers or wines for on premises consumption."


If your favorite restaurant serves any alcohol, leave your weapon in the car.

FYI, thats the law in NC as well. No distinction between restaurants and bars. If the business sells alcohol for consumption on the premises, its off-limits for conceled carry.

[cmj]

There is an interesting discussion about the topic here if you have the patience:

South Carolina People - Alcohol Carry discussion - DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum

[kelcarry]

Hey y'all: By the time you look at all the restrictions for the SC CC, you end up with limited if not difficult scenarios for CC. Blend into this, the number of businesses that have the appropriate signage indicating a "no CCW" policy and you end up with the gun essentially in your car only. For a CCWP, you can at least have the gun in the car, fully loaded, and just concealed, and not in the glove compartment or the trunk or some other separate and closed area of the carthat you are allowed without a CCWP. I do know people who will forego long established retail sales venues who now choose to have "no CCW" in their establishments. Obviously you have to get caught when in a prohibited location in CC mode, but any purpose for CC would be questionable and illegal so that really makes little sense, even if you should be in a situation where you actually were in direct and clear danger of death.

[FN1910]

A careful reading of the entire section lreads to several different interpretations and we are looking for someone to volunteer to be the test case. So far no one has stepped forward. The AG has quietly spread the word not to enforce the law because he does not want to test it. Therefore we are at a standoff to see who blinks first. As long as you behave yourself you shouldn't have a problem but I don't want to be the test case. Several years ago the AGdid issue an opinion but it is too long to post but is was about 10 pages of BS trying to CYA on it saying that is was illegal but never did give a true reasoning behind it.

[kelcarry]

Hey cmj: Thanks for the post and reference to DefenseCarry.com. The discussion on SC CC laws is certainly intense and I will take the time to read it more carefully over my next martini. As has been said in that forum and this one, a test case with a final judicial decision is the only way to truly clarify the intent and scope of the law relative to CC in establishments that have alcoholic beverages. It would be nice to have the AG define same but when it comes to guns, politicians try very hard to stay away from the issue. Maybe the NRA would be willing to clarify the issue?