The right to keep and bear arms is staunchly defended in the state of South Carolina and throughout the country. People have any number of reasons for wanting to own a firearm. Guns provide a means of self-defense, and for hunters they’re a means of recreation, as well as providing for their families. Whether you carry a gun or weapon for protection or as a hobby, your right to do so is protected by both the state and U.S. Constitution. However, certain states have laws requiring gun owners to be registered in order to be able to purchase a firearm, and there are also permitting requirements for carrying a gun on you. In order to avoid getting charged with a weapons offense , it’s important to be aware of what the law requires both here, as well as in any states in which you might travel.
Buying A Gun In South Carolina
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Your ability to own and keep a gun is protected by Article 1 Section 20 of the South Carolina Constitution , which explicitly states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms will not be infringed upon. While the U.S. Constitution is similarly worded, there has been a national movement towards tougher guns laws, and restrictions on who can own or buy a gun. While there’s no national system for gun registration, a number of states, such as Florida and New York, as well as the District of Columbia, do require some form of registration for people wishing to purchase a handgun. Despite pressure from anti-gun violence advocates, South Carolina remains a pro-gun rights state, and does not require residents to have a permit to buy a gun, nor does the state require guns to be registered.
Carrying A Gun In South Carolina
Just because Palmetto State residents aren’t required to be registered in order to buy a gun doesn’t mean they don’t need a license to carry one. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) oversees the issuance of weapons permits, which allow the owner of a handgun to carry a concealed weapon on his or her person. In order to get a gun permit issued by SLED , you would need to submit the following:
- A completed concealed weapons application
- A copy of your driver’s license or photo I.D.
- Proof of residence
- Proof of actual or corrected vision of 20/40
- Proof of training regarding laws governing the safety, use, and keeping of firearms
In addition to the above, a complete set of fingerprints would need to be provided to SLED. Once the required documents have been submitted, and the application fee paid, SLED would then conduct a thorough local, state, and national fingerprint background check, as well as a criminal background check of the person seeking the permit.
Places Where Guns Are Not Permitted
Even with a permit, there are certain places you’re not allowed to carry a gun. These include:
- Courthouses, law enforcement facilities or detention centers;
- Polling places on election days;
- Hospitals, medical clinics, or doctor’s offices; and
- Schools, colleges, universities and daycare facilities.
In addition to the above, establishments have the right to post signs forbidding guns on their premises. Violations for carrying a gun can result in criminal charges ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony, with heavy fines and in some cases, mandatory jail time.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Attorney Today
If you are facing a concealed weapons charge, contact an experienced South Carolina Criminal attorney right away. Greenville attorney Lauren M. Taylor will work aggressively to defend your rights and fight any charges brought against you. Our office serves Greenville and all of Upstate South Carolina. Call us today for an initial consultation of your case.
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.