A South Carolina firearm bill of sale provides proof of purchase and the details of your gun sale in the state. Private sellers should use this form to create an official record of the firearm sale, the purchase price, and other essential details.
State Laws for Selling a Gun in South Carolina
Minimum Age to Purchase
Any person under the age of 18 may not purchase a handgun. [1] This age minimum doesn’t apply to the issuance of handguns to members of the US Armed Forces (active or reserve) under the immediate supervision of a parent or adult instructor.
Permit for Purchase
South Carolina doesn’t implement permit requirements to purchase a gun. However, purchasers must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check that the seller initiates.
Register a Gun
South Carolina does not require registration of firearms. The state prohibits government agencies from requiring registration of privately owned firearms. [2]
Open Carry Permit
Individuals who are qualified to own a gun can carry it openly without a permit from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). [3] They also don’t need to complete an educational course or training.
Concealed Carry Permit
Due to Governor McMaster signing H. 3594 into effect on March 7, 2024, individuals can conceal carry a firearm without training or a permit from the SLED. The SLED’s Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) program remains in effect so that people who wish to conceal carry pursuant to a permit can do so. [4]
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for a CWP:
- Step 1 – Complete Application: Complete a Concealed Weapon Permit Application either online or through the mail.
-
Step 2 – Attach Documentation and Photo: Include the following in your application:
- Photocopy of current state-issued ID or DHS alien card;
- Two completed and signed fingerprint cards;
- Step 3 – Pay Fees: All applicants must pay the $50 application fee. [5]
- Step 4 – Wait for Approval or Denial: It takes up to 90 days for the issuing agency to approve or deny your application.
Gun Reciprocity
Thirty-five states honor South Carolina’s CWP. South Carolina recognizes concealed carry permits from 22 other states and enhanced CWPs from four states. [6]
Restrictions on Firearm Ownership
The following persons are prohibited from purchasing a firearm: [7]
- A person convicted of a violent crime in the United States, territories, possessions, or the District of Columbia
- Any person who is a fugitive from justice
- A person who is a drug addict, habitual drunkard, or has been adjudicated as mentally incompetent
- A person who is part of a subversive organization
- A person under the age of 18, unless they are entitled to use a firearm as part of their military service or while under the immediate supervision of a parent or adult instructor for purposes of firearm instruction
- A person adjudged unfit to carry or possess a firearm by a county court judge or circuit judge in South Carolina
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Firearms are a type of personal property. If owned directly by an individual, they can pass through the South Carolina probate process or a will.
If a trust owns the firearm, the transfer of that firearm is governed by the trust.
