Where You Cannot Carry in South Carolina: Prohibited Places

Prohibited Locations for Carrying Concealed Weapons in South Carolina

Updated to reflect the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024 (2024 Act No. 111, H.3594), effective March 7, 2024.

Statutory Prohibited Locations

Under South Carolina law (Section 23-31-215), the following locations are prohibited for carrying concealable weapons, whether concealed or openly carried:

1. Law enforcement, correctional, or detention facility

2. Courthouse or courtroom — or other publicly owned building (whether owned by the State, a county, a municipality, or other political subdivision) where court is held, and during the time that court is in session

3. Polling places on election days

4. Government offices and meetings — office of or business meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special purpose district

5. School or college athletic events — not related to firearms

6. Daycare facilities or preschool facilities

7. Places where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law

8. Churches or other established religious sanctuaries — unless express permission is given by the appropriate church official or governing body

9. Medical facilities — hospitals, medical clinics, doctor's offices, or any other facility where medical services or procedures are performed, unless expressly authorized by the appropriate entity

10. Residence or dwelling place of another person — without the express permission of the owner or person in legal control or possession of the residence or dwelling place

11. Places posted with compliant signage — any place clearly marked with a sign prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon on the premises in compliance with Section 23-31-235. A person who violates this provision (whether willful or not) may only be charged with a violation of Section 16-11-620 and must not be charged with or penalized for a violation of the main subsection.

Private Property and Employer Restrictions (Section 23-31-220)

• Employers (public or private) may prohibit persons from carrying concealable weapons (concealed or openly carried) upon business premises, in the workplace, or while using any machinery, vehicle, or equipment owned or operated by the business.
• Private property owners or persons in legal possession or control may allow or prohibit the carrying of concealable weapons on their premises.
• A sign stating "NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED" constitutes notice that concealable weapons are not to be brought onto the premises. A person who knowingly brings a concealable weapon onto such premises may be charged with a violation of Section 16-11-620. A second or subsequent conviction results in permit revocation for one year.

Sign Requirements (Section 23-31-235)

Signs prohibiting concealed carry must meet specific requirements:

For buildings with doors:

• Posted at each entrance into the building
• Clearly visible from outside the building
• 8 inches wide by 12 inches tall
• Contain the words "NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED" in black, 1-inch tall uppercase type, centered at the bottom of the sign
• Contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle 7 inches in diameter with a diagonal line running from lower left to upper right at a 45-degree angle
• Placed not less than 40 inches and not more than 60 inches from the bottom of the building's entrance door

For premises without doors:

• 36 inches wide by 48 inches tall
• Contain the words "NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED" in black, 3-inch tall uppercase type, centered at the bottom
• Contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle 34 inches in diameter with a 2-inch wide diagonal line
• Placed not less than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches above the ground
• Posted in sufficient quantities to be clearly visible from any point of entry

Exception: Church Use of School Premises (Section 23-31-232)

Upon express permission from the appropriate church official or governing body, any person may carry a concealable weapon on leased school premises when a church leases the school for church services or official church activities. This applies:

• Only during times the church has use and enjoyment of the property pursuant to its lease
• Only to areas within the lease agreement, related parking areas, or reasonable ingress/egress
• Does not apply when students are present for curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activities

Exempted Persons (Section 23-31-240)

The following persons with a valid CWP may carry a concealable weapon anywhere in the State:

1. Active Supreme Court justices
2. Active judges of the court of appeals
3. Active circuit court judges
4. Active family court judges
5. Active masters-in-equity
6. Active probate court judges
7. Active magistrates
8. Active municipal court judges
9. Active federal judges
10. Active administrative law judges
11. Active solicitors and assistant solicitors
12. Active workers' compensation commissioners
13. The Attorney General and assistant attorneys general
14. Active county clerks of court
15. Active public defenders and assistant public defenders (except they may not carry into a local or state correctional facility)

Vehicle Storage

Under the Constitutional Carry law (2024 Act No. 111), there are no restrictions on firearms inside vehicles. Firearms can be stored anywhere inside a vehicle, openly or concealed.

Key Penalty Reference

Violations of posted signage restrictions are charged under Section 16-11-620 (trespass after notice).