Open Carry Now In SC, Important Restrictions You Need to Know
Editor’s Note: This article is outdated. For the most recent legal changes to Open Carry in South Carolina click here.
Yesterday South Carolina’s Open Carry law went into effect. First, however, you need to know some essential restrictions in the law before heading out with your handgun.
Governor Henry McMaster signed Bill 3094 into law back on May 17th. Dubbed “Open Carry With Training Act,” the law brings open carry to South Carolina, but with certain restrictions.
Open Carry Law Restrictions:
Open carry is only legal for residents with a valid South Carolina concealed carry license. If you don’t already have a license, you can’t legally carry your everyday carry (EDC) gun openly.
Additionally, the law does not take away private or public business owners’ right to prohibit firearms on their property. The establishment must post signs indicating they do not allow firearms on their property.
One good thing about the law is the permit is now FREE!
How do you feel about the change to the law? Did it go far enough, or does requiring a concealed carry license to open carry essentially nullify the benefit?
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I think it strikes a good balance. The License is now free as opposed to a fee before new law. I have no issue with taking a training class and pass a background check. Both help to ensure some safety. I would not understand why a law abiding citizen would feel this is not a good idea.
the reason it’s not a good idea is if you are in some place and you have no idea it’s going to get robbed and you are standing there with your gun open carry guess who is getting shot first YOU!
But you don’t have to open carry, you can still conceal it
I live in NC and going to stay I’m SC for a few weeks how do I apply for a SC gun permitte
As long as you have a permit to carry in NC you can have a gun in SC
You cannot carry in SC; you may only transport a firearm from your car to the rooms you will occupy while vacationing in SC.
I caught bowl on that I have both I opened carrying more than a concealed
caught and bowled, an expression from the game of cricket. if you’re going to use an expression then get it right or you end up looking like an idiot.
Good deal. Background checks are fine, may keep some of the crazy people from open carry, won’t stop em from concealing. Would love to see stronger laws for criminals and easier laws for self defense scenarios.
Your life could be the one that is saved if you happen to be in that store at the same time. People who carry tend to be more aware of their surroundings. We dont carry to impress, we carry to protect.
DAMN STRAIGHT BROTHER
I agree although point taken about the bad guys shooting you first. I keep my weapons concealed and my mouth shut.
What is the precedent for bad guys shooting they good guy with a gun first?
How true
Exactly
You’re assuming the robber even intends to use the fire-arm.
Most criminals are more intimidated by someone with a firearm, because they’re not likely to even be comfortable with the firearm they choose to commit a crime with.
Also, most criminals would not want to get a murder charge.
If someone is drugged out, and just stole a fire-arm, they’re likely to not even notice the other customers to begin with.
You guys see the video recently of the guy going to rob the worker at a car lot? Walks in, other guy had his suspicion, grabbed his firearm, and the robber smiled as if it was a joke and ran out and away?
Guess who can shoot back and most criminals don’t like to rob a place that is likely to have someone with a weapon. That is why they usually rob places that don’t allow weapons.
I agree whole heartedly. A concept lefties do not understand.
I agree with that…you should keep it concealed but readily accessible in that event.
what if there were a cop there? are they getting shot too?
Equally likely if you gonna rob someone that you know has a gun
Absolutely untrue. How many cops get to bed? All cops open carry,??? Ridiculous!!!
Not if u shoot first.
I’ll take my chances with a gun on my hip or under my shirt. Todays world is so crazy why lower your chance of survival
This is not a good idea because it opens you up to unwarranted harassment by law enforcement across the nation. Once they know you have a concealed carry permit, they can stop you on any highway in any state (and they have) just for the sake of intimidation. It got so bad during the Obama reign that even Texas congressman Louis Gohmert, who has more reason than most to carry, decided not to get his permit for fear that he’d be harassed at airports and on highways between Texas and DC. I don’t mind my local sheriff knowing that I carry, but I don’t want to be haunted by the FBI, highway patrol, or law enforcement of any other jurisdiction. The federal background check system has been abused for decades. When I was a kid in the 60’s I could buy firearms and ammunition with no restrictions. I want my full 2nd amendment rights back. Anything less is unconstitutional.
If you can pass a background check to buy weapons then you shouldn’t need any permit to carry them however you want. Licensing equals permission when it’s a God-given right.
Pennsylvania sucks too, because it requires licensing for concealed carry, but i think you can open carry without a license. It also requires no training to get a concealed carry permit. I should have applied for mine when i lived there.
Of course, there would probably be a lot of social/police pressure not to open carry, depending on what part of PA someone was in. No doubt, most states are similar in that regard.
Social pressure is used to take away a lot of rights.
If your a law-abiding citizen you shouldn’t have to worry about being harassed by the police. they pull you over and see nothing’s wrong over and over they’re finally going to give up on you promise you. If nothing else you have something to hide and that’s your problem
Pennsylvania is not on South Carolina’s reciprocity list
god doesn’t make the laws LEO
> I want my full 2nd amendment rights back.
> Anything less is unconstitutional.
I completely agree with this statement
🤣🤣🤣🤣 A bit paranoid are we!! People like you shouldn’t have firearms on their person. I had a concealed permit for decades..No one came looking for me.. Lolololol!
I’m former law enforcement and have shown my CWP as required several times to Local Law Enforcement. Never had a negative response, always told “Thank you for carrying”. No problem here in SC.
Correct!!!
I agree with you ☺️
I’ve done a butt load of traveling, domestic and internationally, and I’ve never been treated in any way that would indicate that I was being targeted due to my concealed carry privileges.
me either. People can speculate all they want on what they think will happen but I’ve never experienced any of the things these people on here are saying.
Your totally right on that Al!! Its all the time I see “oh dont do that!! **insert terrible out come**” but the people saying I have never had anything like what they say happen. Not even close!! Its the internet tho lol. Everyone is an expert and everyone knows better than than the next guy
I have been stopped by law enforcement three times since I got my carry permit. It is a requirement that any time a law enforcement officer asks for your ID and if you have a weapon on you or in the car, you are required to show the permit and declare you have a weapon. The officers know that to have a permit, you have passed a background check and are not a threat. All three times the officer smiled, handed back my permit and driver’s license and then told me why I was stopped, said have a good day and left.
More people have been saved by someone that had a firearm., If someone is overly concerned about the police FBI and all other law enforcement harassing them for having a firearm. Then there is a much bigger problem. People forget. The second amendment is the right to protect the public from an oppressive Government. Not to protect them from us. Protecting the Government from the public is called a Dictatorship. And removal of the way that a public can fight back. Is the first step towards that.
Don’t think it can happen here. Why do you think history is being re written for your kids? And the history of how this did happen is being left out of history.class. just a thought. But looks like we might be headed down that road of repeating what other countries learned the hard way.
I think it’s a very good idea to get all the training on how to handle the firearms, & to be familiar with how they operate and the safety of operating a firearm.so let’s all law abiding citizen work together for the good of all mankind. Thanks for Your service & in helping keep our country safe.May The Lord keep y’all safe
All should have some training
Concealed Carry
My Body
My Choice!!!!!
Because we have the 2nd amendment. Crazy people were here long before guns.
Shall not be infringed having to be on a government list is an infringement by definition
Any honorably discharged military veteran or former enforcement officer should automatically be granted a weapons permit.
It’s not really free. I had to pay for my CWP class. Unless there is somewhere they teach the class for free.
My nephew (19), just moved here from Alaska and is under the impression he can open carry without a permit. He keeps telling me the laws changed to where it’s legal now since they passed the law earlier this year. I am not so sure this is the case and would like some advice on how to handle this situation.
So as a non resident, I still can’t protect myself.in your state. But you’ll be happy to take my vacation money……….
Not correct. SC allows for non resident permits.
From certain states. I get the impression it’s tit for tat if they acknowledge our carry permits, we acknowledge theirs although it may depend the training which is a state to state evaluation.
Kind of a mute statement as any state will take your vacation money.
I can’t find anything on Reprocity with TN. I know last year I could carry in south carolina with my TN permit when I visited. I see the law has changed some since then. Can I still carry concealed or not with my TN permit?
According to SLED website TN is a reciprocity state.
If it’s free. And it ensures those carrying are doing so legally and with some basic training, I do t think it’s a bad way to do it. Just wish the state had reciprocity with other states to allow those I’m state with temporary orders to be able to use their ccw from their home state (training having been provided by the military).
Actually, you can carry concealed provided your state has reciprocity with South Carolina. You just can’t “open carry.”
According to usaconcealedcarry “South Carolina honors resident permits from states that recognize South Carolina permits, provided that the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a criminal background check and a course in firearm training and safety”. If they recognize the out of state permit, then it is the same as a South Carolina permit, and therefore you can carry openly.
HLB
That is not what they are saying they are saying residents still have to have a concealed weapons permit in order to open carry;
That is a stupid statement. If the state in which DO have a valid CWP has reciprocity with SC you are safe. But you cannot OPEN carry because you are not a resident
Personally I have my Arizona CCW and while I am glad that they enacted open carry in SC I always have pondered the “why would I open carry if I can conceal carry” question. I personally don’t want to attract any added attention to myself, but to each his/her own I guess.
When I lived in Arizona, my CCW instructor told us if we rode motorcycles, open carry when riding because while most will not notice the bike (normalcy bias) they will notice the firearm – and he was right. I always open carried while riding and then concealed once I got to my destination.
There are several issues open carry is more comfortable to carry especially on a daily basis (not being a slim gut that what I find) For self defense open carry allows a slightly faster draw. There have been cases where people in concealed only states had a weapon partially exposed and been arrested (like a loose shirt outside your pants. In general gun laws suck and penalties are extreme for simple violations
I think this is great. I personally will continue to conceal carry. But now I don’t have to worry, if my shirt doesn’t totally cover my weapon.
I’ll be heading to SC soon for several months and was planning on picking up their CCW permit anyways. Won’t be open carrying though.
I like open carry i don’t have to keep checking to see if my gun is covered and if I come to a no open carry store I just pull my shirt out I don’t know why they stopped the permit fee sled is going to lose a lot of money
Thank you Governor McMaster for signing the bill to open carry. I am a woman who sometimes travels alone and I like knowing I can protect myself. I will continue to carry concealed, but like knowing I now have the option to open carry.
I live in Penna. I will be traveling to South Carolina in a week How long would it take to get a carry permit
I really wish that they would pass the Constitutional Carry which is still pending in state legislature.
“,The Right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
You already have a self evident, Constitutional Right to keep your arms and bear your arms.
No infringement on Constitutional, God given rights should ever be tolerated. If you trade freedom for “security”, you’ll have and deserve neither. No gun law has ever given the public more security. They don’t decrease gun crime, they don’t decrease murders, they don’t make schools more safe. There’s no valid reason to infringe the 2nd Amendment as written. Not even a little bit.
you’re quick to tout your GOD GIVEN rights but you ignore scripture that tells us to “resist not evil.” Seems a bit hypocritical. Typical though I guess, people are quick to use God to justify what they want to do but are quick to ignore him when they want to do something that HE says not to do. So carnal and typical. If you trusted God enough, you would not need a weapon or anything because “all things work together for the good for those that love God and are called according to his purposes.” So you don’t need a weapon if you trust God enough because if you get shot, thats the best thing that could happen to you. The real problem is that people are just too full of themselves. Jesus said, “if you save your life you will lose it, but if you lose it for my sake you will have life everlasting.” So why do you concern yourself so much with saving your and other’s lives. You are not helping.
jesse – you say “as written” but have conveniently left the whole 1st half of the second amendment off. And god has nothing to do with it.
Are there restrictions on where a person with a SC CWP can place their gun while in a car; or do you have to have the “open carry” permit? And, do reciprocal states have different restrictions about gun placement in automobile?
I recently moved to South Carolina from Wisconsin where I hold a valid CCWP I am a bit confused as to if I need to take the course over or can I just apply for the permit.
I don’t see the point in having a permit to carry. It only helps the government keep track of who has a gun. It doesn’t stop criminals from getting guns and using them. Criminals don’t buy guns legally, they steal them or buy off the street. GUN LAWS ONLY RESTRICT LAW ABIDING CITIZENS. The Governor signed this law to appease both sides, instead of doing what’s right and protecting our rights.
I carry.. I’ve carried illegally before myvstate had permits.. I have a permit…
If revoked, I will still carry..
I believe everyone who carry should get plenty of experience and training..
Lord knows I’ve invested a bunch of time and a pile of cash into it….
All that said, I am opposed to permits and requirements…
We have Rights.. Rights cannot exist with conditions…
And I believe our rights are far more important than any little bit of “safety” gained through requirements..
Look at driving.. training, requirements, hoops we jump through.. and still, you can’t stop stupid…
What if I have a Georgia conceal carry license and can open carry in Georgia. Am I exempt from this law or can I open carry in SC as well?
Based upon the argument that GUN RIGHTS advocates make that you should have to qualify your ability to properly handle a fire arm or be in sound mind to own a fire arm then I have to ask when will be people start taking STUPID tests and have to pass BACKGROUND mental checks before opening their mouths to exercise their right to FREE SPEECH? As for me and my house you can have my guns when you come pull them from my dead body. Why do we need to proof test the 2nd amendment but not the 1st? Crickets of course from the left.
they actually are trying to limit what you can say.
This is BS. We should have had constitutional carry.
Anyone with an ancestor who settled this state knows that. It’s called A2.
The problem is these political tyrants think we’re too stupid to know how to handle a gun.
Trust me. If you’re a South Carolinian, you know how to handle a gun.
The government doesn’t need to know I have a gun unless I decide to show them by carrying it openly.
This law is nothing more than a way for the state to track gun owners.
I don’t trust you because you spout lies. I am a Sandlapper and I know many people who are not fit to carry a weapon. They’ve never even held a weapon. Who are you to think that all South Carolinian’s know how to handle a gun. That statement is pure hogwash.
When the Federal Government doesn’t want you to have guns, there’s a reason. There are just too many criminals in government positions. Does it make sense for lying crooked politicians to have a security team, that protects them while telling you that you aren’t smart enough to protect yourself? Always fear a government that’s terrified you’ll use a gun to uphold the law, (which may mean defending yourself against a tyrannical government). Back when we won our freedom from the British, there was a musket behind every door, today? it’s an AR-15, both are guns, both shoot bullets, only today we have a media that spreads misinformation about everything except the weather and sports, nothing has changed except the crooks that run (or ruin) the country. Back when we had real media outlets, at least back then they could spell, and were more interested in reporting the news instead of pushing leftist propaganda.
paranoid, distrustful of everything government. open your eyes and see the truth. some are good, some not so much, some are bad. so typical of people like you. I’m conservative myself but I haven’t lost my brains like you have.
I agree
Unconditional
I said:
I agree
Unconstitutional
About time we even one up for the score!!! Chalk one up for the 2nd!!!!!
Exactly!! Must have something to hide if you’re that worried..
no U need a S.C. CCW to open in S,C
How interesting that open carry is legal in certain states only with a concealed carry license. I am getting my first gun this year and need to get a license. I will find an excellent place for a permit to carry nearby as well.
I live in Georgia and I carry with no permit because it is not required in my state. I live on the border of GA and SC. Can I can carry my weapon in SC as I lawfully can carry jn GA with no permit. If not , what do I need to do to be able to carry in SC?
You need a cwp, period.
For everyone else, know the law –
The Supreme Court ruled in 1876 that the Second Amendment only applies to limit the federal government. This means, according to second amendment law, that the rights that are granted by the Second Amendment can be limited by state governments.
If you cannot obtain a Georgia CWP, then you cannot conceal carry in States that require a CWP, but if you successfully obtain a GA CWP (either though it may not be required there to carry) then you will be entitled to conceal carry in all other states that have a reciprocity law with GA, such as SC. I have my SC CWP and conceal carry every where I go, have had to show it to an LEO in NC and GA before at license checks/traffic stops and it’s always very well received. I’ve never had a LEO react negatively or even want to see my firearm since I got my CWP.
Is it not now named a OWP for open weapon permit ?
I am glad That SC allows responsible Carolina Citizens to protect their family’s
I am 72 years old and accepted the fact that I am no longer able to protect myself
I feel the open law on my part is to tell someone watching me gas up my car that
running up fast to beat me and rob me or do harm to my Family.
Let’s dispel the illusion once and for all, that the right to keep and bear arms under the 2A IS NOT a god given right. He had nothing to do with that lll conceived concept touted by so many on many forums. The ultra conservative Justice Scalia posited that the 2A like all rights, is NOT a right that gives an individual to do whatever, whenever and to whomever, in any circumstance the right to mete out any form of justice in any circumstance. Like all rights, it has its limitations, it IS NOT ABSOLUTE, nor does it permit the meting out justice to the exclusion of reason.
I don’t get it. I mean I open carry policy do not have any requirements other than being able to pass the background check if you’re going to have to get a concealed carry permit anyway, then get to get the old carry permit and I like the fact that it’s free And I do plan on getting one because the way the world is today you just never know but I don’t want people to see I’m carrying a gun if I do care yeah and I do care yet it’s because I’m going to be traveling at night or in an area that’s dangerous For self-defense not we’re gonna buy a carry my gun open. Got to my leg really quick draw anybody else is carrying their open then it’s not for self-defense. It’s for a gun by looking for one out there with it showing come out who thinks that bastard night is ridiculous I do believe in background checks I do believe in having a concealed carry policy because you don’t see my God you’re not gonna try and get me to pull my gun and if you pull a gun you don’t see mine you don’t know I have one then it’s too late for you. You are a meeting God , so I don’t get it now. I was walking my dog little over a year ago and I was attacked by a homeless man country Road where I live. Luckily, he didn’t have a concealed or open carry, but he had a belt with studs. I was just two days out of the hospital with complications from Covid. I was very weak and didn’t know this person he started he attacked me And I stabbed him because I carry where I will. You can see it in Enrique bar and I did not intend to lethal injuries. I just went when is deep inside in the muscle, the fatty tissue and pulled it out. He was freaked out and got his attack. He was high on meth. I’ve been fighting with them people somewhere And this is in a January. It was very cold. He was wearing nothing but a pair of socks and a pair of cargo shorts, so what’s the world coming to? I carried a knife for coyotes, Cue dogs and snakes never expected to have to use it on a human. Luckily, he wasn’t any more aggressive than he was , I didn’t have to be more aggressive, so I guess that I don’t get it you have open carry don’t have a concealed carry and have a background check. If you’re going to have a concealed carry do away with the open carry conceal carry with a open carry permission is just looking for the wild wild West cowboy that they’re trying to get a new gun fight , that’s just my opinion I didn’t read anybody else’s because that’s their opinion I’m going to read them, but I wanted mine not to be influenced by anybody else. Have a great day.
What about all of us who spent half a grand in training to provide sc cwp licensing courses. After working a range for 2 decades there are a lot of idiots that shouldn’t even be allowed to carry chewing gum. The constitutional carry destroys our livelihood and allows people who have no training to carry. There’s more idiots out there than normal people. The failure of our school system I’d say.
I have a friend that wants to know if major printing from cc sincr he doesn’t want to open carry. He asked if that was an issue with the new open carry law since it completely printing from only one visible side. & wants to know of that is an issue if he cc with major printing under new open Carry law.
I would not think so but he us concern. Any help would be much appreciated.