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South Carolina Governor signs bill for people to open carry guns

LANDRUM—South Carolina residents will soon be able to carry a weapon with a concealed weapon permit. 

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed an open carry with training act into law last week. The new law will go into effect on Aug. 15. 

The new law requires a person to go through the training to receive a concealed weapon permit and waives the $50 fee for the permit. 

“Today I signed the open carry with training act into law,” McMaster said last week. “I will proudly support any legislation that protects or enhances a South Carolinian’s ability to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights, and that’s exactly what this bill does.” 

The new law will not change who can carry a firearm or where weapons are allowed. 

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division publicized guidance after the bill was passed and said gun owners with current concealed weapon permits cannot open carry until Aug. 15. 

SLED agents also said they are working diligently to develop necessary training for the handgun course and are coordinating with the justice academy to provide training for law enforcement personnel. SLED said they are overhauling the internal process to handle the changes that will impact applications and renewals. 

State legislation did not pass a proposed bill that would have allowed anyone to open carry a weapon, regardless of whether or not they had a concealed weapon permit. 

South Carolina was only one of five states in the nation prior to this bill who did not allow anyone to open carry a weapon. 

North Carolina already allows people to carry a gun with a concealed weapon permit.