In a significant legislative move, South Carolina has now joined the ranks of states allowing permitless firearm carry, following Governor Henry McMaster’s signing of the bill on Thursday afternoon. The bill, prefiled in the state House of Representatives in December 2022, underwent extensive debates in both the House and the Senate before reaching the Governor’s desk.
The journey of the bill saw a crucial step forward when a joint committee comprising members from both chambers met on Tuesday, leading to the committee’s report receiving approval in the House that day and in the Senate the following day. This development positions South Carolina as the 29th state to adopt permitless carry, coming closely after Louisiana’s adoption of a similar policy last week.
Under the new law, individuals aged 18 and over, who are legally eligible to own firearms, are permitted to carry them openly without the need for undergoing training or obtaining a permit. This marks a departure from the 2021 Open Carry law, which required concealed weapons permit (CWP) holders to carry handguns openly. The enactment of House Bill 3594, often referred to as “constitutional carry,” eliminates the necessity for CWPs within the state.
Despite the broader allowances, the law specifies several locations where carrying a firearm remains restricted, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, churches, many government buildings, schools, polling places, detention facilities, post offices, or private residences without explicit permission. However, certain places like churches and doctor’s offices have the option to permit firearms on their premises, and businesses can designate themselves as gun-free zones.
The debates in the Senate last month emphasized the importance of training and responsible gun ownership, leading to the inclusion of provisions in the final law that offer free, state-funded CWP training opportunities throughout South Carolina. While the new law negates the requirement for a CWP for state residents, obtaining a CWP remains an option for those seeking reciprocity in states that recognize South Carolina’s permits.
