Additional Resources | South Carolina Concealed Carry

Additional Resources for South Carolina Concealed Carry

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — CWP Office

SLED is the primary agency responsible for issuing Concealed Weapon Permits (CWP) in South Carolina.

• Phone: 803-896-7015
• Email: CWPquestions@sled.sc.gov
• CWP Information Page: https://www.sled.sc.gov/cwp
• FAQ Page: https://www.sled.sc.gov/faq
• Physical Location: 4400 Broad River Road (J.P. Strom Boulevard), Columbia, SC — approximately 1 mile from Interstate 26, accessible via Piney Grove Road or St. Andrews Road

SLED conducts an extensive background examination of all applicants prior to a CWP being issued. Applications are available on the SLED website.

Criminal Background Checks

• SLED CATCH (Criminal Records): https://catch.sled.sc.gov/
• SLED Records Department (Mail): PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221
• Criminal History Record Screening Fee: $25 per search
• Record Check Form: https://www.sled.sc.gov/forms/faq/SLEDCATCHFormfillable.pdf
• Payment: Company checks and money orders accepted by mail (no cash or personal checks); credit card payment accepted online only
• SLED Public Dissemination Unit (background check concerns): 803-896-1443

Fingerprinting Services

Fingerprinting services are not provided at SLED. Applicants should contact:

• IdentoGo by MorphoTrust: http://www.identogo.com/ for locations and times
• Contact your licensing agency for additional fingerprinting information

South Carolina Attorney General's Office

• Website: https://www.scag.gov/
• FAQs: https://www.scag.gov/faqs
• The Attorney General's Office has issued opinions regarding firearm preemption under S.C. Code § 23-31-510, which prohibits local ordinances from regulating the transfer, ownership, or possession of firearms. Notable opinions include:
  • Op. S.C. Att'y Gen., 2010 WL 55789865 (December 7, 2010) — reversed a prior 2009 opinion and confirmed state preemption of local firearm regulations
  • Op. S.C. Att'y Gen., 2017 WL 6940255 (December 29, 2017)
  • Op. S.C. Att'y Gen., December 2, 2019 — addressed City of Columbia Ordinance 2019-063 regarding gun-free school zones

SLED Regulatory Services

• Email: reglicense@sled.sc.gov
• Private Investigations & Security Information: https://www.sled.sc.gov/PI_Security
• Handles private investigation and security company licensing and regulation under S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 18

South Carolina Legislature — Code of Laws

• Full South Carolina Code of Laws: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/statmast.php
• Key Firearm Statutes:
  • Title 16, Chapter 23 — Offenses involving weapons (including concealed weapons)
  • Title 23, Chapter 31 — Firearms; concealed weapon permits; state preemption (§ 23-31-510)
  • S.C. Code § 23-31-510 — Preemption of local firearm regulations
  • S.C. Code § 16-23-420 — Carrying firearms on school property
  • S.C. Code § 17-13-10 — Citizen's arrest authority
  • S.C. Code § 16-9-320 — Resisting arrest
  • S.C. Code § 16-3-625 — Resisting arrest with a deadly weapon

Crime Statistics

• SLED Uniform Crime Reporting Department: 803-896-7016
• Online Crime Statistics: https://www.sled.sc.gov/crimestatistics.html

State Jobs at SLED

• State Jobs Website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sc/sled

Other Useful Contacts

• U.S. Department of Justice (law enforcement concerns): 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001; Phone: (202) 514-4609; https://www.justice.gov/crt/addressing-police-misconduct-laws-enforced-department-justice
• SC Department of Consumer Affairs: 803-734-4200 or 1-800-922-1594 (in SC only)