Governor McMaster signs permitless firearm carry bill into South Carolina law – Here is what you need to know

After over a year of heavy debate, the permitless firearm carry is now legal in South Carolina. Governor Henry McMaster on Thursday afternoon, March 7, 2024, signed the bill, which was prefiled in the state House of Representatives in December 2022.

After a joint committee with members of both chambers met Tuesday, that committee’s report was approved by the House later the same day and by the Senate on Wednesday.

Here are some things you need to know about the new law:

• There are restrictions of where an individual may carry a gun, such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, churches, many government buildings, schools, polling places, detention facilities, post offices, or personal residences without permission.  Some places, such as churches and doctor’s offices, may choose to allow individuals to carry weapons onto the premises.
• Businesses have the right to label themselves as a gun-free zone.
• The new law enables individuals 18 and older who are legally allowed to own firearms to carry them, openly or concealed, without requiring training or registration for a permit.
• Representative Bobby Cox (R-Greenville), the Vice President for Government Affairs at Sig Sauer, a firearms company, was the lead sponsor of the bill.
• South Carolina becomes the 29th U.S. state with a permitless carry law.
• Click HERE for the entire history of the legislation.
• Click HERE for complete legislative language.