South Carolina Carry Laws

Constitutional Carry - Open OR Concealed Without Permit

South Carolina allows permitless OPEN or CONCEALED carry for anyone 18+ who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. A CWP is optional and mainly useful for out-of-state reciprocity.

South Carolina enacted H.3594 (2024 Act No. 111, the 'South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024'), effective March 7, 2024. Anyone 18 or older who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a handgun openly OR concealed without a permit (S.C. Code §16-23-20(A)). A concealed weapon permit is now optional; it remains useful for reciprocity in other states and for certain statutory exceptions, and SLED issues permits to applicants 18 or older. Prohibited places under §16-23-20(A) include law enforcement, correctional and detention facilities; courthouses and courtrooms while court is in session; polling places on election days; offices and business meetings of county, school district, municipal and special purpose district governing bodies; school or college athletic events not related to firearms; daycare and preschool facilities; places where federal law prohibits carrying; churches and religious sanctuaries without permission of the appropriate official; hospitals, medical clinics and doctors' offices without authorization; another person's residence without the owner's express permission; and premises posted in compliance with §23-31-235. S.C. Code §§16-23-20 and 23-31-215.

Duty to Inform - No Statutory Requirement

South Carolina: No statutory duty to inform. The former S.C. Code §23-31-215(K) requirement was removed by 2024 Act No. 111 (H.3594), effective March 7, 2024.

DUTY TO INFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT
SOUTH CAROLINA REQUIREMENT
Type: NO STATUTORY DUTY TO INFORM
The former requirement in S.C. Code §23-31-215(K) to inform an officer and present the permit card was removed by 2024 Act No. 111 (H.3594), effective March 7, 2024. No South Carolina statute now requires you to volunteer that you are armed.
WHAT THIS MEANS
South Carolina no longer imposes a statutory duty to inform. You are not required to volunteer that you are carrying. Answering an officer's direct question truthfully remains advisable, and lying to an officer can be charged separately.
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE
There is no longer any South Carolina penalty for failing to inform an officer that you are carrying.

No-Carry Signs Have Force of Law

South Carolina: Posted 'No Firearms' signs have legal force. Posted signs carry force of law per S.C. Code § 23-31-235.

"NO FIREARMS" SIGN LAWS - SOUTH CAROLINA

Posted signs meeting S.C. Code 23-31-235's specifications (approximately 8 by 12 inches, 'NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED' in one-inch letters, a handgun silhouette in a seven-inch circle with a diagonal slash, posted 40-60 inches from the bottom of the entrance door) have legal force. Under S.C. Code 16-23-20(A)(11) - as amended by the 2024 Constitutional Carry Act - carrying a concealable weapon past a compliant sign, whether the violation is willful or not and whether or not you hold a concealed weapon permit, may ONLY be charged under 16-11-620 (entering premises after warning or refusing to leave): a fine of not more than $200 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, not a weapons offense. Property owners may also give verbal notice; leaving promptly when asked avoids the charge. Note: carrying into a business that serves alcohol for on-premises consumption carries separate penalties under 16-23-465.

Prohibited Places - Where You Cannot Carry

South Carolina: Carrying past a compliant 'NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED' sign (8x12-inch spec in 23-31-235) can ONLY be charged as 16-11-620 trespass (max $200 fine or 30 days) — the statute forbids charging it as a weapons offense; entry after warning or refusing to leave on request are both covered by 16-11-620.

PROHIBITED PLACES - WHERE YOU CANNOT CARRY
South Carolina

South Carolina: Carrying past a compliant 'NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED' sign (8x12-inch spec in 23-31-235) can ONLY be charged as 16-11-620 trespass (max $200 fine or 30 days) — the statute forbids charging it as a weapons offense; entry after warning or refusing to leave on request are both covered by 16-11-620.

Authority: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 16 Chapter 23 (Offenses Involving Weapons).

No Magazine Capacity Limit

South Carolina has no state-level magazine capacity restrictions. Standard and extended magazines are legal.

MAGAZINE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS
SOUTH CAROLINA LAW
No state restrictions on magazine capacity.
FEDERAL FACILITIES
Note: Some federal facilities may have their own restrictions regardless of state law.

No Red Flag Law

South Carolina: No red flag (ERPO) law is in effect as of February 2026.

RED FLAG / EXTREME RISK LAW
South Carolina

South Carolina: No red flag (ERPO) law is in effect as of February 2026.

Authority: no extreme-risk (ERPO) statute in the state code as of February 2026; Johns Hopkins National ERPO Resource Center state tracker.

Stand Your Ground - No Duty to Retreat

South Carolina: Stand Your Ground state. No duty to retreat before using force in self-defense anywhere you have a legal right to be.

STAND YOUR GROUND - NO DUTY TO RETREAT
South Carolina

South Carolina: Stand Your Ground state. No duty to retreat before using force in self-defense anywhere you have a legal right to be.
Authority: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 16 Chapter 11 — Protection of Persons and Property Act.

Vehicle Carry - Loaded Firearms Allowed

South Carolina: Constitutional carry state. Adults may carry loaded firearms in vehicles without permit.

VEHICLE CARRY - LOADED FIREARMS ALLOWED
South Carolina

South Carolina: Constitutional carry state. Adults may carry loaded firearms in vehicles without permit.

Authority: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 16 Chapter 23 (Offenses Involving Weapons).