Is South Carolina a Constitutional Carry State?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Yes, South Carolina is a constitutional carry state as of March 2024. You can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you're legally eligible to possess a firearm.
What This Means for You
This change means you can carry your custom builds and factory firearms concealed without jumping through permit hoops. However, reciprocity with other states may still require a South Carolina CWP for travel purposes. The constitutional carry law doesn't eliminate all carry restrictions or change where you can legally carry.
The Detail
South Carolina enacted constitutional carry legislation that took effect in March 2024, joining over 25 other states with similar laws. This means any person who is legally allowed to possess a firearm under federal and state law can carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit. The law applies to both residents and non-residents while they're in South Carolina.
The state still issues Concealed Weapons Permits for those who want them, primarily for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states. Many states that recognize South Carolina permits don't extend that recognition to constitutional carry, so having a permit remains valuable for interstate travel. The CWP also provides some additional legal protections and may be required for certain activities.
Important restrictions still apply under constitutional carry. You still cannot carry in prohibited locations like schools, government buildings, and private properties that post no-weapons signs. The same disqualifying factors that would prevent someone from getting a CWP also disqualify them from constitutional carry. Age requirements and other fundamental eligibility criteria remain in effect.
You should verify current law with official South Carolina sources, as firearms laws can change and local ordinances may add additional restrictions. The State Law Enforcement Division and local sheriff's offices can provide authoritative information about current carry laws and any recent changes.
Build Impact
Constitutional carry means you can legally carry your completed builds without permit delays, but you still need to ensure your firearm complies with all applicable state and federal laws. Consider getting a CWP anyway if you plan to travel outside South Carolina with your builds.