South Carolina regulates certain weapons at the state level through Title 16, Chapter 23 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, in addition to federal...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
South Carolina regulates certain weapons at the state level through Title 16, Chapter 23 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, in addition to federal regulations under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The state does not impose additional registration requirements beyond federal NFA requirements for NFA items.
Under S.C. Code § 16-23-220 through § 16-23-240, it is generally unlawful to:
Exceptions are provided under S.C. Code § 16-23-250 and § 23-31-330.
Machine Gun: Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Includes the frame or receiver of such weapon, any combination of parts designed and intended for converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if in the possession or control of a person.
Sawed-Off Shotgun: A shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length, or a weapon made from a shotgun which as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
Sawed-Off Rifle: A rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, or a weapon made from a rifle which as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length.
Military Firearm: Any military weapon, firearm, or destructive device, other than a machine gun, that is manufactured for military use by a firm licensed by the federal government pursuant to a contract with the federal government. Does not include a pistol, rifle, or shotgun which fires only one shot for each pull of the trigger.
Antique Firearm: Any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898 (including matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar ignition systems or replicas thereof). Also includes any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1898 for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in ordinary commercial trade.
Per S.C. Code § 23-31-1050(5), a "firearm muffler or firearm silencer" is defined as "a device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication."
Silencers/suppressors are not listed among the prohibited weapons under S.C. Code §§ 16-23-220 through 16-23-240 (which cover machine guns, military firearms, sawed-off shotguns, and sawed-off rifles). Possession may be subject to federal National Firearms Act requirements.
The National Firearms Act (NFA), a federal law, taxes firearms at manufacture and sale. The NFA also requires that certain weapons are registered, including machine guns and short-barreled shotguns and rifles.
South Carolina does not require a state permit, license, or registration for the purchase or ownership of handguns or long guns beyond federal requirements.
A person (including a dealer) who violates the provisions of the weapons article (except § 16-23-20) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction:
Weapons involved in violations must be confiscated and delivered to the chief of police or sheriff. Law enforcement may use, transfer, trade, or destroy confiscated weapons after legal proceedings are concluded (§ 16-23-50(B)/(C)).
H. 3041 (126th Session, 2025-2026) — A bill introduced January 14, 2025, would amend § 16-23-210 to define "assault weapon" and add assault weapons to the list of prohibited weapons under §§ 16-23-220, 16-23-230, and 16-23-240. The bill would also significantly increase penalties. As of the latest information, this bill is currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary and has not been enacted.
Under South Carolina's Constitutional Carry law (H. 3594), it is unlawful for a person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment to possess a firearm or ammunition. Graduated mandatory minimum penalties apply:
Exceptions exist for misdemeanors punishable by 5 years or less, antitrust/business regulation offenses, and expunged/pardoned convictions (unless the pardon expressly prohibits firearm possession).
This page covers one part of our South Carolina concealed carry guide.
Read the complete South Carolina guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.