South Carolina permits citizens with proper certification to carry concealed weapons.
South Carolina offers gun owners a concealed weapons permit. This allows the gun owner to carry a weapon under his clothing or some other location not immediately available to view. A gun owner must acquire additional training and meet other requirements to obtain a concealed weapons permit. A concealed weapons permit is not required to conceal a weapon in a private home or other location. It is strictly for the public right to legally carry a weapon concealed from view. The State of South Carolina assesses cash fees for concealed weapons permits and their associated training and qualifying classes.
Application
IIn South Carolina, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is responsible for maintaining information on licensing and tracking firearms. To obtain a South Carolina concealed weapons permit, an applicant must submit an application to SLED. The applicant must be a legal U.S. resident without any felony convictions and must complete SLED-mandated training classes. Each applicant must also pay a $50 application fee to SLED for application processing.
The application will be held on file until the applicant completes the necessary training classes. When completed, the training class operator (usually a private business licensed by SLED to offer the classes) will provide the necessary information to SLED. Once all the information is submitted, SLED will determine if the applicant is approved.
Training
SLED mandates that all concealed weapons permit applicants complete an eight-hour training course. This course can be held during a one-day session (usually a Saturday, for easier attendance) or four two-hour sessions during the week. Applicants must learn the proper way to conceal the weapon (e.g., various holster positions, in an automobile, briefcase, etc.) and how not to conceal a weapon (e.g., not in the waistband or shoved under a car seat). Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency with the weapon during trials on a shooting range. Although there are specific accuracy requirements, the applicant is not expected to be a deadeye marksman with a pistol.
Testing
After completing the classes, the applicant must complete a test supplied by SLED. These tests are graded strictly as pass or fail. The applicant must demonstrate that she retained what she learned in the training class and what will be expected when carrying a concealed weapon. If the applicant passes the test, the results are forwarded to SLED. However, if the applicant fails the test, all is not lost. The applicant’s scores are not forwarded to SLED but the applicant will have to repeat the eight-hour session. Once the session is repeated, the applicant may take the test again.
Tags: concealed weapons, South Carolina, applicant must, conceal weapon, concealed weapons permit, weapons permit
