South Carolina gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes
- Eligible adults may carry openly or concealed without a permit (SLED constitutional carry guidance).
- Open carry: Allowed without a permit for people 18 and older who are not otherwise prohibited, under H. 3594 (2024). Source
- Permits: South Carolina permit guide
Vehicle transport
No restrictions on guns inside vehicles. They may be stored anywhere in the vehicle, openly or concealed. Source
Places where carry is banned
Law enforcement, correctional, and detention facilities; courthouses while court is in session; polling places on election days; government meeting offices; school and college athletic events; daycares and preschools; churches without permission; medical facilities; another person's home without permission; places posted with signs; schools; and federally barred places. Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban
Duty to inform
No. SLED states that neither permit holders nor permitless carriers have a duty to notify officers. Source
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).
Red-flag law
No extreme risk protection order law.
Reciprocity
South Carolina honors permits from states that have reciprocity with SC and require a background check and training; check SLED's list.
The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.
Sources
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.