Another benefit of getting your concealed port permit is the open port benefits it offers. HB 3094 came into effect on August 15, 2021, making open porting legal for all holders of hidden port permits. Previous rules made it illegal for state handgun owners to carry it. South Carolina doesn`t have many gun laws, but it`s a good idea to know what`s available before you try to buy a gun. There is no waiting period, registration or licensing requirement in the state, but you must be at least 21 to buy a handgun or 18 to buy a long gun. Certain types of weapons, such as machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, and military firearms, are illegal in South Carolina. “I don`t think it`s a good idea to lower the age of handguns in South Carolina, because if you have a handgun or a gun, you have a responsibility in possession and in this state you have to be 21 to buy beer or go to a bar and have a drink. And certainly a handgun is more dangerous than a bottle of beer. said Charlie Bell, owner of Port Royal Gun and Pawn.
States have the ability to create their own gun control laws that restrict the purchase and use of firearms. While the Second Amendment may protect the right to own certain firearms, some guns and accessories are illegal under South Carolina law. The state does not have a waiting period for potential gun buyers, but does enforce certain licensing requirements for gun ownership. Let us advise you individually and ask your legal questions. Many attorneys in South Carolina offer free consultations. It`s relatively easy to buy a gun in South Carolina because you don`t need a license or permit to complete the process. However, the state has some basic laws that you need to follow to make sure you are legally allowed to carry your gun in public. Last accessed at: giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/minimum-age-to-purchase-possess-in-south-carolina/ South Carolina prohibits persons under the age of 18 from possessing or acquiring a handgun.1 It is also illegal for a person to knowingly sell, offer for sale, provide, rent, lease, trade, or trade handguns to persons under the age of 18. But this does not apply to the temporary lending of handguns against instructions under the direct supervision of a parent or adult teacher.2 Note: State laws can always change due to the passage of new laws, decisions in higher courts (including federal decisions), voting initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most up-to-date information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to review the state laws you are seeking. Adam Manning, a fourth-year economics student, said he thinks 18-year-olds should be allowed to own handguns.
Penalties for illegal possession on or near school grounds South Carolina is one of 18 states and the only one in the South to have set 21 years for handgun ownership. One gun owner we spoke to said that changing the law is not a good idea. “You are of legal age and so the Second Amendment should apply. All adult U.S. citizens have the right to own a gun,” Manning said. Federal law still prohibits gun dealers and dealers from selling handguns to anyone under the age of 21. But state law now allows individuals to sell handguns to anyone 18 and older. Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens and retired police officer, had introduced the bill to help a national firearms wholesaler in Lexington County, where employees under the age of 21 filled orders over the phone.
A legal opinion from Attorney General Henry McMaster said it was not allowed because of his age, and Pitts argued it would cost half of the company`s workers their jobs. Federal law sets a dangerously low minimum age for the purchase of firearms. While the law requires a person to be 21 years old to purchase a handgun from a licensed firearms dealer, it only requires a person to be 18 years of age to purchase a long gun, including an assault weapon, from a dealer. The law is even weaker for purchases from unauthorized sellers, with a minimum age of 18 for handguns and no minimum age for long guns. Many states have raised the age and prohibited the sale of handguns to persons under 21 years of age and the sale of long guns to persons under 18 years of age. The strictest policies generally prohibit all purchases before the age of 21. A full discussion of prohibitions can be found here. Supporters had argued that 18-year-olds could serve in the military and carry handguns to protect the right of others to own firearms, but when they return home, they cannot own handguns. The bill went into effect as soon as the governor signed it into law, allowing you to purchase firearms from state-licensed dealers and private sellers in South Carolina.
Only authorized dealers require background checks, so you can skip the process for private purchases. However, it is important to remember that only merchants have new weapons, so it is much safer to buy through them. The next step is to determine the type of weapon you want to buy. The laws are similar for handguns and long guns, with the exception of the age requirement. Both types of weapons require the same background check when purchasing from an authorized dealer. Because many editors edit their links and archive their pages, the full-text version of this article may no longer be available through the original link. In this case, go to the publisher`s website or use a search engine. “I don`t think 18 is an appropriate age to own a gun if you can`t even drink at 18,” Garrett said. “A gun is as much, if not more, a responsibility.” Now it`s time to buy your gun and ammo.
This part of the process works like a regular retail purchase because you`ve already done the paperwork. You should know that you must lock the weapon during transport, unless you have the necessary training and permission to carry it. Buying a gun in South Carolina means following federal background check laws. You must also reach the right age before buying a firearm from a state-licensed dealer. (More on this below.) “I think it`s more of a bad thing than a good thing because most 18-year-olds at that age are still so immature and wouldn`t think before using it,” said Whitney Patterson, a second-year biology student. There is no minimum age to buy or own rifles in South Carolina. It`s incredibly beneficial to get your secret port permit in South Carolina because it allows you to bypass your background check. This permission also allows you to carry your weapon in your vehicle without locking it in the glove compartment or trunk. You`ll need to complete the necessary training, take an eye exam, and pay the permit fee to get your undercover stretcher certification in the state.
“This is really nothing new,” NRA spokeswoman Ashley Varner said. “There are a lot of states across the country that have an age restriction of 18.” The following table shows some of South Carolina`s gun control laws. There is an exception to the federal background check requirement in South Carolina for those who hold a secret port permit in the state. Those who take the necessary training and pay for the licence can skip the background check when purchasing a firearm. Note that the licence expires every five years and therefore an extension is required. “The governor signed the bill because it doesn`t make sense for someone who can fight a war to own a handgun,” Sawyer said.