SCDPS Statement on the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act
COLUMBIA — The Bureau of Protective Services, a division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, reminds the public that with the passage of the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2023, there are areas where it remains unlawful to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon. TheSouth Carolina Code Section 10-11-320(A) that specifically prohibits carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon on State House grounds has not changed.
“Our officers have been advised to continue to enforce the law that prohibits weapons from being brought onto these protected grounds, as this law still applies. We are in the process of adding additional signage throughout the complex to ensure visitors are aware, upon arrival, firearms are prohibited on the grounds, regardless of the changes made by the new law,” says Chief Matthew Calhoun of the Bureau of Protective Services.
The State House grounds include the area in downtown Columbia between Gervais Street, Sumter Street, Pendleton Street, and Assembly Street, and, as indicated in the map below. Additionally, visitors to the Governor’s Mansion are also prohibited from carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon onto the grounds.
SC governor signs permit-less carry bill into law
BY: SKYLAR LAIRD
SC Daily Gazette - MARCH 7, 2024 4:23 PM
COLUMBIA — Any South Carolinian 18 and over who can legally buy a handgun can carry it without needing a permit after Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law Thursday.
The law goes into effect immediately. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will spend the coming months preparing to offer the free classes for gun owners the Senate added to the bill as a compromise, according to a statement from the department.
When exactly the free training classes will begin depends on when SLED gets the money to hire instructors and fund the program, according to the statement.
The program could cost as much as $5 million, senators said.
Along with allowing people to forego permits to carry a gun, the law gives local and state law enforcement officers the ability to arrest more felons carrying guns.
That aspect, which brings the state law in line with federal law, was a priority for McMaster.
“This bill expands the Second Amendment rights of our law-abiding citizens and will keep violent criminals behind bars with increased penalties for illegal gun use and possession,” McMaster wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday.
The rest of the bill, which exempts gun owners from previously required trainings to get their permit, was more controversial.
Supporters argued the U.S. Constitution gives people the right to carry a gun without government intervention, dubbing the measure “constitutional carry.” Opponents contended allowing anyone to carry a gun will lead to more shootings.
South Carolina is the 29th state to allow permit-less carry. It closely follows Louisiana, which signed its own bill into law Tuesday.
Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau.
