South Carolina FFL Compliance Guide: Permitless Carry, CWP Exemptions & SLED Checks

South Carolina Firearms Regulatory Overview

South Carolina enacted permitless carry (the Second Amendment Preservation Act) in 2024, allowing individuals 18 and older who are legally permitted to possess firearms to carry concealed without a permit. The state has broad preemption, no waiting period, no assault weapons restrictions, and no magazine limits. South Carolina's CWP qualifies as a NICS alternative.

SLED Background Checks & CWP Exemption

South Carolina is a partial point-of-contact state — handgun background checks go through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which queries NICS and state databases. Long gun checks go through NICS directly. South Carolina's CWP qualifies as a NICS alternative for both handguns and long guns.

The three-business-day default proceed applies for NICS-processed transactions. For SLED-processed handgun checks, verify the current transfer rules as SLED may have different processing timelines.

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State Preemption

South Carolina Code § 23-31-510 provides state preemption. No municipality may enact regulations or ordinances that regulate the transfer, ownership, possession, carrying, or transportation of firearms more restrictively than state law.

Private Transfers

South Carolina does not require background checks for private transfers. Private sales between residents may be conducted without dealer involvement.

Recordkeeping

South Carolina does not impose state-specific recordkeeping requirements for firearms dealers beyond federal standards. For handgun sales processed through SLED, record the SLED approval number with the transaction.