I just recently moved to the Charleston area, and I was wondering what I have to do to carry a concealed weapon. Where I come from, it's almost impossible to carry concealed, and I have no idea how to go about obtaining a license. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Steve.

I'm not from SC, so I can't tell you exactly what it takes, but I can point you in the right direction.


Packing.org


This site is very well maintained and is kept up to date, but things change quickly, but in general you'll find all the info you need.

At quick glance, it looks to be a bit more of a PITA than NC, but not terrible. Defiantly not impossible.

I have been through the process in Charleston.

In a nutshell:

Go to the sheriff’s office to get finger printed and get the application forms
Show up at traderworld with a gun, a box of ammo, and a good strong side concealment holster on Saturday morning (call for cost and details)
Pass the written and practical examination (easy)
Send all of the paperwork off to sled
Simmer on high for approx. 90 days
Receive your new SLED CCW card in the mail and…Presto Chango – you can now legally carry in public within the restrictions set forth by the laws of SC

My CCW course identified some interesting things about SC CCW laws. For instance, did you know that you may legally ignore 90% of those signs you see at the mall which say "no concealed carry on the premises"? Property owners have the right to ban you from carrying on their premises, but the law has some VERY specific standards for what the notification signs must look like (size, color, etc) and anything outside of those specifications is not considered properly posted. I don’t recommend testing it, but thought it was an interesting tidbit from my class I would pass on.

Best.

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to try and get the fingerprints and application tomorrow. By the way, where is traderworld.

Thanks.
Steve.

7163 Cross County Rd. in N. Charleston

maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Cross+County+Road,+Chas,+SC

I ignore all of those small "No concealed Weapons" signs when I'm home- the law was revised a couple of years ago so that the signs had to be a standard size to be legal.  IIRRC, the legal sign is like 12"x12"- I can't recall the exact correct size, I just know the small ones don't count.

We do have some funky parts to the law like no carry in an establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on premises (unless that got repealed in the year I've been over here- the was a push for the "fancy dining exclusion" when I was leaving), no churchs, gov buildings, medical offices (funny since my dentist carries and knows I do too- he's a family friend), etc.  

Quoted: I ignore all of those small "No concealed Weapons" signs when I'm home- the law was revised a couple of years ago so that the signs had to be a standard size to be legal.  IIRRC, the legal sign is like 12"x12"- I can't recall the exact correct size, I just know the small ones don't count.

Yep!  I just can't help but grin everytime I pass through a door that has a sign that doesn't meet the requirements of the law.  

SMV, as sandboxmedic was saying, a "No Concecaled Weapons" sign that doesn't meet the requirements of the law doesn't have the authority of the law.  The law is very specific in the size, design, and placement of the signs.  If it's the wrong size, or if it's the right sign posted in the wrong place, it can legally be ignored.

How long do the classes last and how much do they cost?  I'll be moving to Charleston AFB at the end of the year.  I had my CCW in La, but I didn't renew it and besides, its cheaper in SC.  

class is 8 hours long and there usually 50$-100$ i believe. get the out of state flordia permit as well and you can carry in most of the southeast and beyond.

Quoted: For instance, did you know that you may legally ignore 90% of those signs you see at the mall which say "no concealed carry on the premises"? Property owners have the right to ban you from carrying on their premises, but the law has some VERY specific standards for what the notification signs must look like (size, color, etc) and anything outside of those specifications is not considered properly posted. I don’t recommend testing it, but thought it was an interesting tidbit from my class I would pass on. Best.

Wish I had known that when I was at Myrtle Beach entering the Ripleys Aquarium

Quoted: Quoted: For instance, did you know that you may legally ignore 90% of those signs you see at the mall which say "no concealed carry on the premises"? Property owners have the right to ban you from carrying on their premises, but the law has some VERY specific standards for what the notification signs must look like (size, color, etc) and anything outside of those specifications is not considered properly posted. I don’t recommend testing it, but thought it was an interesting tidbit from my class I would pass on. Best. Wish I had known that when I was at Myrtle Beach entering the Ripleys Aquarium

Yep.  Look at it this way.

1.  If you carry properly, they'll never know anyway (excluding a bona fide defensive incident).

2.  If they don't have a legal sign and discover that you are carrying, all they can do is ask you to leave.

I would like to see the info about the sign size and where you can ignore it if it doesn't meet the size requirement.
Thanks.
GLOCK-23

The class is eight hours- four class and four range.  You shoot a standard silhouette target and you only have to have 70%.  I thought that was pretty scary, especially when some of the folks in my class barely made that.

The class goes over where you can and can’t carry, duty to retreat, etc.  The range time has you draw and shoot several shots (you’ll need a box of ammo).  You almost have enough time to shoot and smoke before the buzzer though.  I shot a smiley face on my target, shot a heart outline and shot the crotch out just playing around.  I could hand you any gun I own except my pimp special chrome plated derringer and you should be able to pass it.  

SLED- the State Law Enforcement Division

www.sled.state.sc.us/default.htm

SECTION 23 31 235. Sign requirements.

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any requirement of or allowance for the posting of signs prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon upon any premises shall only be satisfied by a sign expressing the prohibition in both written language interdict and universal sign language.

(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 and must be:
(1) clearly visible from outside the building;
(2) eight inches wide by twelve inches tall in size;
                    (3) contain the words “NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED” in black one inch tall uppercase type at the bottom of the sign and centered between the lateral edges of the sign;
(4) contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle seven inches in diameter with a diagonal line that runs from the lower left to the upper right at a forty five degree angle from the horizontal;
(5) a diameter of a circle;  and
(6) placed not less than forty inches and not more than sixty inches from the bottom of the building’s entrance door.

(C) If the premises where concealable weapons are prohibited does not have doors, then the signs contained in subsection (A) must be:
(1) thirty six inches wide by forty eight inches tall in size; (2) contain the words “NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED” in black three  inch tall uppercase type at the bottom of the sign and centered between the lateral edges of the sign;
(3) contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle thirty four inches in diameter with a diagonal line that is two inches wide and runs from the lower left to the upper right at a forty five degree angle from the horizontal and must be a diameter of a circle whose circumference is two inches wide;
(4) placed not less than forty inches and not more than ninety six inches above the ground;
(5) posted in sufficient quantities to be clearly visible from any point of entry onto the premises.

ETA- does anybody know if the "Fancy Restaurants" clause went through?  I looked over the whole site and saw no mention of it still being illegal to carry in a place that serves alcohol- that used to be part of the restrictions.  They are still specific on drug and alcohol testing following a shooting though.    

Are there any concealed weapons and tactics training classes in SC?  I'm not talking about the required CCW classes, but a place where they teach you how and what to do as far as carrying and training in different shooting situations.

I know HSS puts on classes in SC occasionally.  

I took what was termed an intermediate class through my CCW instructor-it wasn't high speed or anything nor was it it anything you couldn't learn reading a couple of good books.  I just wanted to be able to say that I had taken classes to try to look responsible.