Columbia Chamber: New Gun Laws In SC: What Your Business Needs To Know

Press release from Columbia Chamber:

June 28, 2021

Whether you’re a gun owner or a business owner, South Carolina’s new open carry law will impact everyone in the Palmetto State when it goes into effect this upcoming August. Educating yourself about the bill’s provisions is the best way to understand how the new legislation may affect you or your business.

Governor McMaster recently signed into law legislation that will allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry their firearms openly while in public or in their car, starting August 16th. South Carolina now joins 45 other states that already have open carry legislation in place. Despite efforts from House Republicans to completely eliminate the permit requirement, The Open Carry with Training Act allows only South Carolinians with training and concealed weapons permits to openly carry their firearms. The new bill also eradicated the $50 permit fee for a concealed weapons permit, although it still requires applicants to pass a background check and eight-hour training course.

The Open Carry with Training Act continues to allow business and private property owners to prohibit firearms on their property, whether worn concealed or openly. Businesses and property owners must clearly convey their prohibition with appropriate signage as outlined in the law. Cities and counties will also be able to restrict open carrying on public property during public events with appropriate signage.

If your public or private business previously prohibited the carrying of a concealable weapon, you do not need to change your current signage to accommodate the new bill. If your business would like to start prohibiting concealed and openly carried firearms on your property, you must purchase and display the appropriate signage, making sure it is clearly visible to the public.

The requirements for business signage for prohibiting concealed and open carry weapons can be viewed in the below text and infographic.

Under SC Code of Law Section 23-31-235(B), all signs must be posted at each entrance into a building where a concealable weapon permit holder is prohibited from carrying a concealable weapon, whether concealed or openly carried, and must be:

Appropriate signage is available for purchase here.

More Resources:

SLED Guidance on The Open Carry with Training Act

The State Article

The Post and Courier Article

This press release was produced by Columbia Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.