Gun Laws in South Carolina
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
South Carolina's strong score of 86 reflects the state's shall-issue concealed carry laws, constitutional carry provisions, minimal restrictions on firearm types, and robust self-defense protections including Stand Your Ground laws.
South Carolina Gun Laws Summary
South Carolina has established itself as one of the most gun-friendly states in the Southeast. The state has minimal restrictions on firearms and ammunition, maintaining a strong tradition of protecting Second Amendment rights while avoiding excessive regulations beyond federal requirements.
South Carolina is a shall-issue state for concealed weapons permits. The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) handles permit issuance, and qualifying applicants will receive their permits without discretionary denial. While constitutional carry became law in 2024, obtaining a permit still provides advantages including reciprocity with other states and streamlined firearm purchases.
On March 7, 2024, South Carolina became a constitutional carry state when Governor Henry McMaster signed H.3594 into law. Any law-abiding citizen or legal resident who is at least 18 years old and legally permitted to possess a firearm can now carry a concealed weapon without a permit. South Carolina joined the growing number of states adopting constitutional carry, reinforcing its commitment to Second Amendment protections.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
No permits are required to purchase firearms or ammunition in South Carolina. Background checks are conducted for sales through federally licensed dealers (FFLs) as required by federal law, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Private sales between individuals require no background check, permit, or registration. South Carolina law prohibits any state or local governmental entity from establishing or maintaining a registry of firearm transfers or firearm ownership.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
South Carolina is a constitutional carry state where no permit is required for concealed carry by residents. Residents aged 18 and older who can legally possess firearms may carry concealed without a permit. Open carry remains prohibited except in specific circumstances such as hunting, fishing, or sport shooting. South Carolina honors concealed carry permits from states that honor South Carolina permits (reciprocity).
Open carry is generally prohibited in South Carolina except for specific activities like hunting, fishing, sport shooting, or when on one's own property. Certain locations prohibit carry entirely, including federal buildings, courthouses, polling places on election days, businesses that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption (unless allowed by the business), and school property. For those who choose to obtain a permit, South Carolina requires completion of an approved firearms training course that includes both classroom instruction and range qualification.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
South Carolina has no bans on semi-automatic firearms, detachable magazines, or firearms with specific features. There are no magazine capacity restrictions. All NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, etc.) are legal to own provided federal requirements are met. South Carolina law prevents local governments from enacting any firearms regulations more restrictive than state law.
Local Laws
South Carolina has comprehensive statewide preemption of firearms laws. State law explicitly prohibits counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions from enacting any ordinance, regulation, or rule that regulates the transfer, ownership, possession, carrying, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm components. This ensures uniform gun laws throughout the state and prevents local governments from creating confusing patchwork regulations that could inadvertently criminalize lawful behavior.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
South Carolina Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
This piece explains the ammunition and firearms laws relevant to South Carolina. To do so, the piece begins with the ammunition laws, where we detail how to have ammunition shipped to a home in the state. Next, the piece dives into the gun laws of the state in terms of both buying and carrying firearms. To conclude, we leave you with some resources that will be useful to folks who want to legally buy, own, and carry guns and ammo in South Carolina.
This piece is not intended as legal advice. Instead, we hope that you find the information here useful for your own research so that you can make informed decisions.
Like most states, South Carolina has preemption. This means that the state has a law that prohibits localities such as counties, cities, and towns from making their own firearms laws that are stricter than those at the state level. In practical terms, preemption means that once you understand the gun laws at the state level, that understanding can be applied to the entire state.
Overall, South Carolina is a fairly permissive state in terms of its firearm and ammunition laws. There are no major bans in the state and it is relatively simple for most people to acquire and carry firearms within the state, though a permit is required to do so in most cases.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in South Carolina
First, we will cover the ammo laws of the state.
South Carolina is permissive in terms of its ammunition laws: there are no major bans at the state level. Thus, the process for buying ammo in the state is governed by the rules set forth at the federal level and enforced by the ATF.
The ATF sets two requirements for those who wish to purchase ammunition. The first is an age requirement: buyers have to be eighteen to purchase ammo intended for long guns (rifles and shotguns), and twenty-one or older to purchase handgun ammo. Secondly, buyers cannot be prohibited persons, which the ATF defines as people who have been convicted of felonies or domestic violence, people who have been found mentally unfit in court, and those who have been involuntarily committed to an inpatient mental health facility for treatment.
Assuming that the buyer meets both of those requirements, the state of South Carolina is fine with the buyer having ammo shipped to their door. Keep in mind that carriers can and sometimes do set their own rules, such as asking for someone with valid identification to be present to sign for packages containing ammunition.
Since federal law applies in the entire United States, and South Carolina does not have additional bans on ammunition sales, it is one of the most permissive states in the country in terms of ammunition laws. Assuming the buyer meets federal requirements, it is simple to have ammo shipped to a residential address in South Carolina.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in South Carolina
Next, we will do the same exercise for the state’s gun laws.
South Carolina’s permissiveness continues when it comes to the firearms purchasing laws in the state. This state does not have a magazine ban, nor does it have any kind of assault weapons ban that would prohibit certain firearms based on either features or a specifically named list of guns. Similarly, the state is fine with its residents owning NFA items such as suppressors, machine guns, and short-barreled rifles and shotguns so long as federal requirements and laws are followed.
Buying a gun in South Carolina follows the federally mandated process. Thus, the buyer should bring both a valid form of identification and a form of payment to the gun store. There, the FFL will have the buyer fill out Form 4473 from the ATF, which functions as both a background check and a record of the sale. Once the background check is clear and payment has been received, the buyer is free to leave with their firearm the same day. There are no waiting periods imposed by the state, either: much like the ammo buying process, the gun purchasing process in SC is mostly set by the federal government, making the state among the most permissive.
South Carolina does not mandate that private parties do a background check when selling guns, but it is always wise to ensure that buyers meet age requirements and are not prohibited persons. A written bill of sale and a signed statement that the buyer meets requirements is often advised by firearms attorneys.
While South Carolina is very permissive in terms of buying both guns and anno, it is a little bit less so when it comes to the carriage of firearms.
Residents of the state are allowed to openly carry long guns without a permit, but cannot openly carry a handgun without a permit.
Concealed carry permits in the state are relatively simple to get and are required to carry any kind of firearm concealed. These permits also generally allow holders to carry a pistol openly: this has the benefit of cutting down on people calling the police on folks who accidentally display a firearm while doing things like reaching for an item on a grocery store shelf.
The South Carolina Permit is fairly widely recognized in a number of other states as well.
Like most states, South Carolina has a list of places where the carriage of firearms is generally illegal. This list includes:
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The State Capitol
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Publicly Owned Buildings and Property without Express Permission
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Bars (Concealed carry permit holders can carry unless a sign against it is posted)
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Correctional Facilities
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Hotels with posted signs
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Police Facilities
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Courtrooms
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Polling Places
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Government offices
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K-12 Schools
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Churches without permission
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Hospitals
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Mental Health Facilities
While this list is somewhat long, it is not an usual one, even among the most permissive states. It’s also worth noting that it is always illegal to carry a gun in most federal buildings, which includes your local post office.
Overall, South Carolina is permissive when it comes to buying firearms and ammo. While the requirement to have a permit to carry concealed firearms makes it less than completely permissive, the permitting process is fairly standard and is not a major knock against the state’s general permissiveness.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in South Carolina
South Carolina has a base sales tax rate of 6%, and some localities add additional taxes which makes their effective sales tax rate 9%. It might be worthwhile to look around for an FFL in a lower-taxed part of the state in this case.
The state does not have additional, specific taxes on firearms and ammunition sales.
More Resources:
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The ATF maintains a list of every FFL in the country, including in South Carolina. This list is kept well up to date: generally, gun stores are either Type 1 or Type 2 FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is a great tool for finding ranges: use the mileage, city, and zip code filters to find ranges in your area. Users can add more ranges, too, and the information is regularly checked for accuracy.
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There are a number of well-rated gun stores in the state for all of your firearms needs.
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There is a reasonably active subreddit that covers local firearms events and is worth looking through for local knowledge on firearms and places to shoot.