Visiting South Carolina

[redstategunnut]

My extended family and I will be visiting South Carolina soon (Edisto Island, specifically). I am a resident of and have a permit to carry a handgun from Tennessee, so I'm good to go CCW in South Carolina. I do have some questions for the locals, however.

1. South Carolina is a concealed carry only state, correct? No open carry? I almost always carry concealed anyway, so I'm just checking. Is "printing" a problem? How complete must the concealment be?
2. South Carolina is a "shall inform" LEO state, correct?
3. I understand I cannot carry into an establishment that serves alcohol, correct?
4. I will be bringing a long gun. I would prefer to bring an AR or AK, but if I have to I'll bring a shotgun. What laws govern the transportation of long guns into and in South Carolina? Can the gun be loaded or must I separate the gun from the ammunition?
5. Any other quirks or nuances I should know?
Thanks in advance for your assistance. We look forward to our time in your state.

 

[fordnut]

Welcome...



Steve

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

Best thing I could do for you is to provide you these links. All of our laws are online and are updated to be current. I've linked you directly to Title 16 (Criminal Offenses). You need to select either HTML or Word document for Chapter 23-Offenses Involving Weapons. Also see the second link, Title 23, Chapter 31. This includes the Concealed Weapons laws. This is everything S.C. regulates regarding firearms. I'm not an attorney but know better than to dispense legal advice. You should be careful from whom you take legal advice as well. On another note, welcome to S. C., and I hope you all enjoy Edisto. It is a great place.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title16.php

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title23.php

 

[armaborealis]

My extended family and I will be visiting South Carolina soon (Edisto Island, specifically). I am a resident of and have a permit to carry a handgun from Tennessee, so I'm good to go CCW in South Carolina. I do have some questions for the locals, however.

1. South Carolina is a concealed carry only state, correct? No open carry? I almost always carry concealed anyway, so I'm just checking. Is "printing" a problem? How complete must the concealment be?
2. South Carolina is a "shall inform" LEO state, correct?
3. I understand I cannot carry into an establishment that serves alcohol, correct?
4. I will be bringing a long gun. I would prefer to bring an AR or AK, but if I have to I'll bring a shotgun. What laws govern the transportation of long guns into and in South Carolina? Can the gun be loaded or must I separate the gun from the ammunition?
5. Any other quirks or nuances I should know?
Thanks in advance for your assistance. We look forward to our time in your state.

1) CC only. OC is heavily restricted (effectively non-existent), although car carry is permissible in a "closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle" (NOT under the seat or in any other place except a trunk/luggage compartment) without a permit. The weapon must be concealed by normal wear of the clothing. I've personally found parts of SC to be moderately hostile to RKBA so while printing is legally permissible you may get unwanted attention. Then again just about nobody notices printing other than other CCW'ers so I don't worry too much.
2) You must inform a LEO that you are carrying when asked for ID. No sooner.
3) No carry in places that serve booze. Includes restaurants, even if you don't drink and aren't seated in the bar area. Be warned, many places have liqour licenses (even Chipotle sells margaritas!).
4) There are no AWB style issues so bring your AR/AK. I'm not aware of any issues regarding transporting loaded long guns. There are game regulations that require long guns to be transported unloaded but I don't know if they apply off game preserve/hunting/state park property. I don't personally think its safe to transport a long gun in condition 1 in a vehicle under most cases. I'd suggest just transporting the rifle unloaded to avoid any issues.
5) Be darn sure that your CWP has valid reciprocity. If it doesn't then you need to dig into the SC code and learn where you can carry without a CWP (not many places). As usual in most states avoid schools/universities. SC also forbids carrying weapons in any public building, period. So, no carrying into the bathroom at a park, no carrying into many performing arts centers, etc.