South Carolina Concealed Carry Permit Information

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Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents

Example of Resident Permit:

South Carolina Resident Permit

Issuing Authority:
State Law Enforcement Division

Out Of State Permit Issue:
The State Law Enforcement Division must issue permits to carry handguns to a person who is a resident of South Carolina, or a non-resident who owns property in South Carolina, or military personnel on permanent change of station orders.

NICS check:
Yes

Permit Valid For:
Permits are valid for four years.

Permit Issued Timeline:

Cost:
$50

Requirements:
1. Age 21 years or older
2. Not prohibited from possessing a firearm
3. Resident of South Carolina, or a non-resident who owns property in South Carolina, or military personnel on permanent change of station orders.

Required Documents:
1. One current full face color photograph
2. Proof of residence
3. Proof of actual or corrected 20/40 vision
4. Proof of training
5. Fingerprints

Renewal Information:
Renewal is available upon payment of a $50 renewal fee, completion of a renewal application and submission of a copy of the applicant’s valid South Carolina driver’s license or South Carolina identification card.

Change of Address:

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:

A permit holder must inform a law enforcement officer of the fact that he is a permit holder and present the permit identification card when an officer (1) identifies himself as a law enforcement officer and (2) requests identification or a driver’s license from a permit holder.

Automobile carry:
Any person in a vehicle where the handgun is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console or closed trunk. The handgun may be loaded.

Places off-limits when carrying:
A concealed carry permit does not authorize the holder to carry a concealed weapon into a:
1. Law enforcement office or facility.
2. Detention or correctional facility.
3. Courthouse or courtroom.
4. Polling place on election days.
5. Office of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special purpose district.
6. School or college athletic event not related to firearms.
7. Day care or pre-school facility.
8. Place where federal law prohibits the carrying of firearms.
9. Medical services facilities.
10. Religious sanctuaries unless express permission is given by an appropriate official.
11. Private property where prohibited by legal owner.

Anyone in legal control of property may prohibit the carrying of concealable weapons by posting signs expressing the prohibition at each entrance to the building.

Alcohol and Drugs:
Any person convicted of carrying a pistol or firearm onto the premises of a business which sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises shall be subject to an additional penalty of up to 3 years imprisonment and/or $2,000 fine.

It is unlawful to discharge a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
South Carolina is a Castle Doctrine state and does have a stand-your-ground law.

 

Open Carry:
Prohibited in most public areas.

Localities with Varying Laws:

Forms & Links:
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division: Concealed Weapons Permit Program
NRA-ILA: South Carolina Gun Laws


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  • Leroy Sumter

    What do you mean?  SC RES OERMITS ONLY:??

    • Anonymous

      What is your question in reference to?

  • Leroy Sumter

    I owned property in Rembert, SC.  I am a (Florida Resident) and resides in Ft Walton Beach, Fl.  I am a retired military member and have a conceal Weapon Permit from the State of Florida.  What do I need to obtain a Conceal Permit from South Carolina?  .   

    • Rion

      if this has not already been answered, you will need the fingerprint cards, a copy of the tax form for the property and possibly a deed to the land, and the application form and proof af training.

  • Leroy Sumter

    I owned property in Rembert, SC.  I am a (Florida Resident) and resides in Ft Walton Beach, Fl.  I am a retired military member and have a conceal Weapon Permit from the State of Florida.  What do I need to obtain a Conceal Permit from South Carolina?  .   

  • Anonymous

    I need to change my address on my CWP in SC . Dose anybody know how I do that ?

    • 10412Tom

       Write a letter to SLED and tell them old and new addresses, and I recommend a copy of the face of your SC CWP be included.  Mail it to: SLED Data Center, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, S.C. 29221‐1398

  • Tplace1

    I will be traveling from PA (where I have a ccw, which SC does not honor) to GA in a few weeks.  My question is: what is the law in SC regarding transportation of a weapon through the state?  If I’m reading the law correctly, as long as it is in a locked glove box it can be loaded.  Anyone know for sure?

    • BorderSniper

      That is absolutely correct.  You can even keep it in the console as long as it is closed.  I bought a push button lock box with a steel cord tether and keep it on the floor behind the passenger seat for when I drive through SC.  Reduces time spent securing it if i have to jump out quickly and push button code means easy access in an emergency.

    • Mickeys

       If it is in the glove box, or console, it does not have to be locked and can be loaded. 

  • Luke

    I live and work in SC.  I carry money from one business to another.  Do I need a concealed Weapon Permit to keep a loaded gun in my console?

    • Matt Smith

      No, the law states a “closed console” although some local jurisdictions take that to mean “locked”

  • Tim

    Another place off-limits when carrying is any placed licensed to serve alcoholic beverages on premises. 

    • Ryanard

      So NO Carry in Applebees, Chilis, or other type of resturants that sell beer and wine????

    • Tinymane72

      Not completely true. If its an eating establishment that has a bar in it like Applebee’s outback or others like these you can still carry. Just not a Place who’s main business is the sale of alcohol

      • SCSooner

        False, in SC cant carry in those places.

        • Sabbyk

          I just took my CWP  and I asked that specific question and the answer was YOU CANNOT carry a weapon in the premises that sales alcohol for comsumption ON THE PREMISES.  I asked specifically Applebee’s and was told absolutely NOT.  So SCSooner is correct. 

  • Bairdsamueld

    i am NC resident Stationed in SC, i am active duty USMC…i have SC CCP.. so am i legal to carry concealed in FLA?

    • darkhorse

      Your situation is a bit different.  You say you’re a NC resident stationed in SC, but have a SC  permit, so:
      1.  As a NC resident, you’d have to own property in SC to get a permit (it would be a non-resident permit)
      2.  A SC non-resident permit would not be honored in FL (they honor SC resident permits only)
      3.  If you have a NC permit, it would be honored by SC and FL
      4.  I believe most states would honor your resident NC or SC permit (whichever one you have) because you’re active duty military. Best to check, just to make sure 

  • Wyndee54

    Well i am a 23 year old female.. It says u have to own property in SC.. I dont own any property. Can i still get a CWP?

    • Uswards

       Sorry u can’t get a permit without owning property in SC

      • Cofferyb

        not true, i have mine and i dont own property in SC 

    • Jkwinters64

       Are you a RESIDENT of South Carolina?  If you reside in South Carolina and have a South Carolina Drivers License, you’re good to go.  If you reside in another state, then they may recognize your license, but will not issue you a non-resident license.

    • Mickeys

      You do not have to own property. You do have to be 21 years of age and live in South Carolina. All my family have permits, but I own the property.

    • darkhorse

      If you’re a resident of SC you don’t have to own property.  If you’re a non-resident of SC and you want to get a non-resident permit, you have to own property in SC.

    • Jr

       Yes you can as long as you are SC resident

  • jesse irby

    am i ineligible for a concealed weapons permit due to a minor traffic offence

    • darkhorse

      No

    • Palmettocouponking.com

      traffic offenses dont make you ineligible,  only felonies and violent crimes.

  • Eastag

    I will be traveling from Pennsylvania to South Carolina staying in a condo in Hilton Head.  Am I legal to keep my gun in the condo in S.C.?

    • darkhorse

      SC does not recognize a PA permit.

    • 10412Tom

       You may have a gun in your condo, and in South
      Carolina anyone who may legally own a gun may carry it in either the glove
      compartment or the console compartment in an automobile. SC Code SECTION 16-23-20 (9)a.

      You may NOT carry concealed on your person unless you have a permit from SC or
      from a state with which SC reciprocates.    Since SC does not currently reciprocate with PA, you may not carry concealed in SC.

      • Starrfish

         Check the regs of the states you are passing through too. NC wants weapon visable in vehicle, NOT in glove box. Each state is different, best to know each laws for transporting.

  • Guest

    I just realized that my SC CWP expired in June.  I can’t renew online because it’s been more than 60 days, but will I need to take the class again?

    • Palmettocouponking.com

      dont think you need to retake the training, you will however need to reapply

  • Rs4010

    Hello I am from NC. I just got my CCH. If I came to SC and wanted to unholster my new gun and show it to my brother. In a public parking lot would that be a vilation? thanks  

    • scooter

      you do not need to pull your gun out in public. if you do it to save your life. in sc the law is to keep your gun from being seen.

    • palmettocouponking.com

      its a “concealed” weapons permit,  show it to someone in your home,  dont be pulling guns out in public unless you are about to use it to protect yourself.

  • Lkurgan7788

    Is a sneaky Pete cell phone like holster legal in sc
    Gy

    • http://www.facebook.com/sherra.scott Sherra Scott

      If you have a CWP and the pistol is concealed then yes. There is no requirement for “how” it must be concealed.

  • Wiredbymike

    what does SC RES mean?

  • Chrstnmsc9

    I have my SC Concealed Weapons Permit. Must travel to GA for work — possibly will be working there a couple of months. i would like to carry a gun for protection, but have been unable to find laws related to this. SC CWP is not recognized in GA. Can I still carry a gun if I keep it locked in my glove compartment?

  • Missyseal1

    my permit will expire next month…..will i receive anything in the mail to renew my permit

    • http://www.facebook.com/sherra.scott Sherra Scott

      No, it is up to you to know when you are expiring and submitting your renewal. They do not send you notification that it will expire.

      • Missyseal1

        Thank you. Wasn’t sure what i needed to do.

    • Missyseal1

      Thank you.  Wasn’t sure what I needed to do.

  • Owenmarkcowen29

    I know that in GA if you are a member of the military you can carry without an actual permit. Is the same true in south carolina?

  • Jla66

    Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
    A permit holder must inform a law enforcement officer of the fact that he is a permit holder and present the permit identification card when an officer (1) identifies himself as a law enforcement officer and (2) requests identification or a driver’s license from a permit holder. IS THIS STILL TRUE?  Can the officer during a stop take my gun from my glove box without my premission and take it to his vehicle while writting up a ticket?

  • Wayne

    Can I carry my pistol on my belt while driving a car ?

    • scooter

      if you have a cwp and your pistol is not showing.

  • guest

    I have a North Carolina concealed handgun permit and will be vacationing in South Carolina. SC does honor my permit, but can I carry my handgun concealed into the resort I am staying in.

    • SCCCWholder

      Yes, you can carry into your room because when you pay for that room you are the resident of that room during your stay. You can carry your handgun any place on the resort except for the resort bar (if it has one) or areas marked with legal signs saying you cannot carry concealed. Just because there is a sign up does not mean it is legal binding. Look up the SC requirements for sign size and wording. There is even a certain color and style I think SC requires the sign to be. A hand writen, computer printed, and/or any other sign that does not match the SC sign requirement is not legal binding.

      • SClegal

        SCCCWholder is right. It’s this section below in SC.
        SECTION 23-31-235. Sign requirements.
        (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any requirement of or allowance for the posting of signs prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon upon any premises shall only be satisfied by a sign expressing the prohibition in both written language interdict and universal sign language.
        (B) All signs must be posted at each entrance into a building where a concealable weapon permit holder is prohibited from carrying a concealable weapon and must be:
          (1) clearly visible from outside the building;
          (2) eight inches wide by twelve inches tall in size;
          (3) contain the words “NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED” in black one inch tall uppercase type at the bottom of the sign and centered between the lateral edges of the sign;
          (4) contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle seven inches in diameter with a diagonal line that runs from the lower left to the upper right at a forty five degree angle from the horizontal;
          (5) a diameter of a circle; and
          (6) placed not less than forty inches and not more than sixty inches from the bottom of the building’s entrance door.
        (C) If the premises where concealable weapons are prohibited does not have doors, then the signs contained in subsection (A) must be:
          (1) thirty six inches wide by forty eight inches tall in size;
          (2) contain the words “NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED” in black three inch tall uppercase type at the bottom of the sign and centered between the lateral edges of the sign;
          (3) contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle thirty four inches in diameter with a diagonal line that is two inches wide and runs from the lower left to the upper right at a forty five degree angle from the horizontal and must be a diameter of a circle whose circumference is two inches wide;
          (4) placed not less than forty inches and not more than ninety six inches above the ground;
          (5) posted in sufficient quantities to be clearly visible from any point of entry onto the premises.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003081274993 Steven Gianoulos

    Is it hard to obtain a Carry Permit in the state of SC?

  • Steve Bales

    I hold a Nebraska permit. I will be heading to SC in September. All of the states I will be pasing through honor my permit except SC. What, if any options do I have?

  • Green

    I have a military concealed weapons permit in SC I was just stationed in NC how can I get my permit transferred to NC because this is where I will be living for some years, does anyone know?

  • Firefighter20711

    I may be moving to south Carolina in the near future. Does south Carolina honor pennsylvania’s conceal permit? If not could I use my pa act 235 card as identification for training so I can obtain a permit in south Carolina?

  • Guest

    I live in SC. I was followed to my car by much older man the other night and he tried to trap me when I was getting in my car. The cop that is paid to patrol my work was not there and didn’t call to let us know he decided not to show. Luckly, I escaped, but now I’m considering getting a carriers and a gun. I work in GA. If I was to get my carriers and had to remove it from my glove box to use it for self defense, would I be doing something illegal?