South Carolina Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for SC Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact South Carolina gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to South Carolina can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

South Carolina State Constitution

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. As, in times of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be maintained without the consent of the General Assembly. The military power of the State shall always be held in subordination to the civil authority and be governed by it. No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner nor in time of war but in the manner prescribed by law.

South Carolina Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 20: Right to keep and bear arms; armies; military power subordinate to civil authority; how soldiers quartered.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All political power is vested in and derived from the people only, therefore, they have the right at all times to modify their form of government.

South Carolina Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 1: Political power in people.

South Carolina Gun Laws

South Carolina Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
South Carolina Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit Program (Source: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division)
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) CWP Frequently Asked Questions (Source: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division)

South Carolina Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting in South Carolina (Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
South Carolina Hunting Regulations (Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
South Carolina Fishing and Hunting License Pricing (Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
South Carolina Buy / Purchase Hunting and Fishing Licenses Online (Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
South Carolina Hunter Education (Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)

South Carolina Shooting Ranges

South Carolina Public Shooting Ranges (Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)
All Shooting Ranges (Source: RangeListings.com)

South Carolina Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

South Carolina's Yearly Ranking in "Best Gun-Friendly States" by Guns & Ammo Magazine

South Carolina Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Utah Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

South Carolina Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

South Carloina State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
South Carloina State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
South Carolina Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
South Carolina Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

South Carolina State Business Tax Climate Rankings

South Carolina State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in South Carolina (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39mm Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo