Overview

• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed a permitless handgun carry law into effect on March 7, 2024, allowing residents to carry handguns in public without a permit.
• The new law marks a significant expansion of gun rights in the state, following the allowance of open carry for permitted gun owners three years prior.
• Under the new legislation, handguns can be carried in most public places, with specific exceptions such as schools, courthouses, and polling places on election days.
• Critics argue the law could lead to increased crime and gun-related deaths, while supporters claim it upholds constitutional rights and self-defense.
• The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature, making South Carolina the 29th state to enact such legislation.