South Carolina Concealed Carry Training Requirements

Overview

South Carolina has two pathways for legally carrying a concealed weapon: (1) obtaining a Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP), which requires training, and (2) permitless (constitutional) carry under H. 3594, which does not require training but incentivizes it through reduced criminal penalties for CWP holders.

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Training Requirements for CWP Issuance

Statutory Authority

S.C. Code § 23-31-210(4) defines "Proof of Training" for CWP applicants.

Standard Training Course (§ 23-31-210(4)(a))

Applicants must have successfully completed, within three years before filing an application, a basic or advanced handgun education course offered by:

• A state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, or
• A nationally recognized organization that promotes gun safety

The education course must include, but is not limited to:

1. Statutory and case law — Information on the statutory and case law of South Carolina relating to handguns and to the use of deadly force
2. Handgun use and safety — Information on handgun use and safety
3. Proper storage practices — Information on proper storage practice for handguns with an emphasis on storage practices that reduce the possibility of accidental injury to a child
4. Live fire requirement — The actual firing of the handgun in the presence of the instructor, with a minimum of twenty-five rounds fired
5. Holster techniques — Properly securing a firearm in a holster
6. Cocked and locked carry — "Cocked and locked" carrying of a firearm
7. Firearm retention — How to respond to a person who attempts to take your firearm from your holster
8. De-escalation — De-escalation techniques and strategies

Items (v) through (viii) were added by 2021 Act No. 66 (Open Carry With Training Act), Section 6, effective August 15, 2021.

Exemptions from Full Training (§ 23-31-210(4)(b))

The following individuals need only comply with the statutory/case law instruction requirement (subitem (a)(i) only):

• Military veterans who demonstrate completion of basic military training provided by any branch of the United States military and produce proof of service via a DD214 form
• Retired law enforcement officers who produce proof of graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy (or proof they were a law enforcement officer prior to the Academy graduation requirement)
• Retired state or federal law enforcement officers who produce proof of graduation from a federal or state academy that includes firearms training as a graduation requirement

Additional Categories That Satisfy Proof of Training

The following individuals satisfy the proof of training requirement without the standard course:

• (c) An instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or another SLED-approved competent national organization that promotes the safe use of handguns
• (d) A person who can demonstrate to the Director of SLED or his designee proficiency in both the use of handguns and state laws pertaining to handguns
• (e) An active duty police handgun instructor
• (f) A person who has a SLED-certified or approved competitive handgun shooting classification
• (g) A member of the active or reserve military, or a member of the National Guard

Instructor and Course Standards

SLED is required to promulgate regulations containing general guidelines for courses and qualifications for instructors. For purposes of subitems (a) and (c), proof of training is not satisfied unless the organization and its instructors meet or exceed the guidelines and qualifications contained in SLED's regulations.

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State-Funded Free Training Program (H. 3594 — Constitutional Carry)

Under the constitutional carry law (H. 3594), SLED is required to establish a statewide, free concealed weapon permit training course:

Key Provisions:

• No fee — SLED may not charge participants a fee of any kind for the training course
• Statewide availability — The training course must be offered in every county in South Carolina at least twice per month
• Demand-based expansion — If demand exceeds capacity in any county, SLED must provide additional classes until sufficient classes are offered at least twice a month
• Delivery methods — SLED may contract with private certified CWP training class instructors or local law enforcement, or SLED itself may provide the course
• Backup provision — If SLED is unable to contract with a certified instructor or local law enforcement in any county, SLED must conduct the training class for that county
• Private instructors preserved — The state-funded program does not prohibit certified CWP training class instructors from providing their own training classes and charging participants a fee

Note: As of the SLED guidance document, this program requires General Assembly funding appropriation before it becomes available to the public. SLED cannot reimburse CWP instructors until funding is appropriated.

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Incentive to Obtain CWP (Enhanced Penalties for Non-Permit Holders)

Under H. 3594, a person convicted of committing or attempting to commit a crime involving a concealable weapon (as defined by § 23-31-210(5)) who does not possess a valid CWP may face an additional imprisonment term of up to three years, served consecutively to the underlying offense sentence. This penalty does not apply to a person with a valid CWP issued pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, provided the permit was valid at the time the crime was committed.

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CWP Eligibility Requirements (§ 23-31-215)

• Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a resident or qualified nonresident of South Carolina
• Must not be prohibited by state law from possessing a weapon
• Must submit a completed application, photocopy of driver's license or photo ID, and proof of training

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Key Definitions

• Concealable weapon (§ 23-31-210(5)): A firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measured along its greatest dimension that may be carried openly on one's person or in a manner hidden from public view in normal wear of clothing, except when needed for self-defense, defense of others, and the protection of real or personal property.

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Relevant Statutes

• S.C. Code § 23-31-210 — Definitions (including proof of training)
• S.C. Code § 23-31-215 — Issuance of permits
• S.C. Code § 23-31-205 — Short title (Law Abiding Citizens Self-Defense Act of 1996)
• H. 3594 — Constitutional Carry Act (establishing permitless carry and state-funded training program)
• 2021 Act No. 66 (H.3094) — Open Carry With Training Act (added training requirements for holster, cocked-and-locked carry, firearm retention, and de-escalation)