Do I need a permit to carry in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina allows concealed carry without a permit for eligible adults 18 and older. Some places stay off limits under state and federal law.

Does South Carolina honor out-of-state permits?

No. South Carolina does not honor a non-resident permit. Eligible adults 18 and older can still carry there under South Carolina's own permitless carry law. South Carolina has a resident-only rule. It honors an out-of-state permit only when the holder lives in the state that issued it.

Where can I check South Carolina's official rules?

Check South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The controlling law is S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-215(N).

Carry laws · 2026

South Carolina concealed carry laws, backed by the statute

At a glance

Carry rule: Permitless at 18
Minimum age: 18
Non-resident permit valid here?: No
Statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-215(N)

Carrying in South Carolina

South Carolina lets adults 18 and older carry concealed without a permit.

That rule stops at the South Carolina line. If you travel, the law of the next state applies.

Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-215(N). South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Reviewed Q3 2026.

Does a non-resident permit work in South Carolina?

A non-resident permit is a carry permit issued by a state you do not live in.

No. South Carolina does not honor a non-resident permit, so the permit adds nothing there. What keeps you legal is South Carolina's own permitless carry law, which lets eligible adults 18 and older carry without any permit.

South Carolina has a resident-only rule. It honors an out-of-state permit only when the holder lives in the state that issued it. See our reciprocity guide for how this trap works.

Getting South Carolina's own permit

South Carolina does not require a permit at home. An optional permit is still useful, because other states may honor it when you travel.

Common questions

Do I need a permit to carry in South Carolina?: No. South Carolina allows concealed carry without a permit for eligible adults 18 and older. Some places stay off limits under state and federal law.
Does South Carolina honor out-of-state permits?: No. South Carolina does not honor a non-resident permit. Eligible adults 18 and older can still carry there under South Carolina's own permitless carry law. South Carolina has a resident-only rule. It honors an out-of-state permit only when the holder lives in the state that issued it.
Where can I check South Carolina's official rules?: Check South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The controlling law is S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-215(N).

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Sources and verification

SC: S.C. Code Ann. § 23-31-215(N). South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

Recognition and carry-law data compiled from each state's statutes and official Attorney General, State Police, or Department of Public Safety reciprocity pages. Reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: Q3 2026. We review and update this information about once a quarter. Laws change between reviews, so verify with the destination state before you travel or apply. Read how we verify our information, including our public corrections log.