Carrying A Handgun
S.C. Code 16-23-20 — eleven kinds of place where a handgun may not go, permit or not
Carrying a handgun, the sections this page reads say, in short:
- Carrying a handgun about the person, concealed or not, into the places section 16-23-20 lists is unlawful whether or not the person has a concealed weapon permit, unless otherwise specifically authorized by law.
- A firearm may lawfully be stored anywhere in a vehicle, occupied or unoccupied, by a person not otherwise prohibited by law from carrying one.
- Merely carrying a weapon in accordance with the permit article is not sufficient to justify a search, detention or arrest.
- Where there is a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the person of criminal activity, an officer may still search, detain or arrest.
- A law enforcement, correctional or detention facility.
- A courthouse or courtroom where court is held, while court is in session.
- A polling place on election days.
- The office or business meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality or special purpose district.
- A school or college athletic event not related to firearms.
- A daycare or preschool facility.
- A place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law.
- A church or other established religious sanctuary, unless the appropriate official or governing body gives express permission.
- A hospital, medical clinic, doctor's office or other place where medical services are performed, unless expressly authorized.
- The residence of another person without the express permission of the owner or person in legal control of it.
- A place clearly marked with a sign prohibiting concealable weapons that complies with the sign section.
Those are the places section 16-23-20 names. Carrying past a compliant sign may be charged only as a trespass under section 16-11-620, not under section 16-23-20. A first violation of section 16-23-20 otherwise is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000 or up to one year, a second up to three years, and a third or later a felony carrying up to five years.
The permit is still issued. SLED must issue a permit to carry a concealable weapon to a resident or qualified nonresident who is at least 18 and not prohibited by state law from possessing the weapon, on an application with identification, proof of residence, a vision check or a driver's license, proof of training and fingerprints. SLED may not charge a fee for the permit, and must give a written statement of its reasons to an applicant it denies within 90 days of receiving the application.
A denial may be appealed in writing to the Chief of SLED within 30 days. Schools, businesses that sell alcohol for drinking on the premises, and private property posted with the sign each have rules of their own. Federal law applies alongside. Whether a particular way of carrying is lawful is a question for a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- S.C. Code 16-23-20 — Unlawful carrying of handgun; exceptions
- S.C. Code 23-31-215 — Issuance of permits
- S.C. Code 23-31-245 — Openly carrying a weapon
- S.C. Code 16-23-50 — Penalties; disposition of fines; forfeiture and disposition of handguns
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.