Community Places
Schools, colleges, places of worship, community centers, sports facilities… responsible gun ownership includes knowing where and when it’s legal to carry.
You may never carry a firearm onto a school or college premises.
A place of worship may allow you to carry a firearm into a place of worship only if you’ve been given permission by the authorities of that organization.
Sporting and entertainment events are often held on private property. Check with the specific venue around their policy of carrying concealable weapons before taking a firearm to an event.
Remember that many places of worship and event venues have their own security teams and bringing an unauthorized weapon can trigger an unintended and unnecessary security response.
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Yes you can store your firearm in your vehicle on school property under SC Code § 16-23-420 “when the firearm remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.”
However, the school district may have policies that prohibit students, parents, or employees from possessing firearms on school property, which could result in disciplinary action.
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No, there are no exceptions to carrying a gun into a school.
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SC Code § 16-23-420 defines schools as “premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, other post-secondary institution, or in any publicly owned building”
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You may carry your firearm in church only if you are given permission by the appropriate church official or governing body. (SC Code § 23-31-232 (A). Remember, many churches already have established security teams, and you don’t want to be mistaken for a threat if something happens and you act.
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You may carry during the times the church has use of the school for those purposes, only in the areas leased by the church, and this does not apply during any time students are present, whether for regular or extracurricular activities. SC Code § 23-31-232
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In South Carolina, carrying a firearm is carrying a firearm. It does not matter if the firearm is concealed or openly carried.
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Check with each venue regarding their policies on allowing concealed weapons during events, as these are private venues. Remember - if proper signs prohibiting carry are posted, you cannot carry, and you must leave if you are asked to leave because you are carrying a firearm.
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Yes, in South Carolina you can carry a firearm in National, State, and City parks. However, you MAY NOT carry your firearm into any federal or government buildings on park grounds. This includes gift shops, restroom facilities, stores, etc. Please be mindful that different states have different laws dictating the carrying of firearms. It is your responsibility to make sure you understand and are in compliance with the appropriate laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to Learn More?
SCSafeCarry.com is a great place to learn about the basics of gun safety.
Taking the entire online course will teach you about firearm best practices, laws around gun ownership and more.
The in-person Safe Carry course will allow you to ask questions to a certified instructor and get your hands on sample safes.
For in-person training that includes time on a range with a certified instructor, you can sign up for a full Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) course.
All of these options are provided for free by the State of South Carolina.