South Carolina Constitutional Carry Guidance

H 3594 was signed into law by the Governor on March 7, 2024 and authorizes individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm, to legally possess a firearm openly or concealed without a concealed weapons permit (CWP). This law DOES NOT get rid of the CWP program, so individuals who wish to get a CWP still can. This will give the CWP holder reciprocity with other recognizing states and makes purchasing a firearm from a dealer easier (at the dealer’s discretion).

Some key points about this law:

• This law is in effect immediately.
• It allows individuals 18 years old and older to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit.
• There are no longer restrictions on where your firearm can be inside vehicle your vehicle in most cases. Guns can be stored anywhere inside the vehicle openly or concealed.
• Possession of a firearm alone is NOT a reason to stop an individual. To make a stop, there must be reasonable and articulable suspicion a crime has occurred. Law enforcement officers cannot conduct a stop solely because a firearm is visible.
• A CWP holder, or a person carrying a firearm without a permit pursuant to this law, DOES NOT have a duty to notify a law enforcement officer that they are carrying a firearm.
• CWP holders are no longer required to carry his/her CWP or disclose his/her status as a CWP holder to a law enforcement officer.
• Prohibited locations HAVE NOT CHANGED. Firearms are still prohibited in many locations, including inside schools, churches, law enforcement facilities including detention and correctional facilities, anywhere medical procedures are performed, courthouses, public buildings, and any place clearly marked with a sign prohibiting the carrying of a firearm.
• Individuals 18 years of age and older are now eligible to apply for a CWP.

While those are the highlights of the new law, there is more guidance from SLED at this link, and you can read the full text of H 3594 at this link.

If you’d like to take our CWP class to learn the laws to carry responsibly, even if you do not plan on applying for a CWP, you can get more information on our classes and register on our CWP classes page.