Headed to SC from Florida

[firemediceric]

Hello all. I'll be traveling through SC with my Florida CCW license. I will have with me a couple of handguns, a long gun and a bunch of ammo. I'd like confirmation that I have an accurate understanding of the SC laws. Amazing how the citizens who try to follow the law are worried about running afoul of it, yet criminals do it regularly with impunity.

My understanding is that I may carry concealed any handgun under 12" in overall length. Any issue with printing or momentary exposure?

Open carry of a handgun is forbidden.

I read that I may transport a handgun openly or concealed in my vehicle, including on my person while in the vehicle.

May NOT carry into any establishment that serves alcohol, even if I am not drinking.

Signs prohibiting firearms/weapons carry the weight of law and must be adhered to so long as they meet the statutory requirements with regard to size and wording.

A few areas where I can really use some clarification. Any duty to inform that I am a CCW license holder or that I am armed if stopped by law enforcement?

Carry into interstate rest area bathrooms is fine?

Regarding the long gun, I read that it may be open carried. May I also have it concealed in my pick up truck? Under a towel or in a case?

I plan to just be on the interstate but I may be stopping for a meal or staying the night in a hotel to break up my drive.

Thank you

 

[John Canuck]

Mostly right. You may carry into a restaurant as long as you don't consume alcohol.

You must inform an officer that you have a permit. No problem with the rest area. Long gun in a case is fine.

Good resource here. -> http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/southcarolina.pdf

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Midnight Raver]

Welcome to the Forum! :mrgreen:

 

[firemediceric]

Thank you for the input and the welcome. Hopefully my trip will be uneventful. I always enjoy the Oconee/Pickens/Table Rock area in the Up State area.

 

[Tigerstripe]

i dont think open carry in the vehicle is allowed, is it guys?

 

[bilall]

Tigerstripe is correct. Open carry of a handgun in a vehicle is prohibited.

 

[firemediceric]

Tigerstripe is correct. Open carry of a handgun in a vehicle is prohibited.

Thank you for the clarification. I'll keep the handgun concealed be it on my person or off. Can you clarify regarding a long gun? May it be carried open or concealed? North Carolina mandates it be left unconcealed, which I dislike. I'd prefer to leave the long gun in a case. Anything definitive in this regard for South Carolina?

 

[John Canuck]

If it were me, the long gun would stay in a case. I haven't seen anything in SC code that controls long gun transport. I admit it's been a while since I've looked, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing in there. My concern would be in local codes.