Visiting South Carolina

[old salt]

I’m a resident of Pennsylvania and have a valid Pennsylvania license to carry firearms. I’m going to be driving to South Carolina for a few days. I used to live in South Carolina and have a S.C concealed carry permit but it is no longer valid since I am no longer a S.C resident. I’m going to have my 9mm with me on the drive South because all the states I’ll be driving through honor my PA license except South Carolina they do not, my question is when I get to S.C? What I’m going to do while I’m in South Carolina is unload and lock my weapon then put the firearm in it’s original box. Also separate the ammunition from the firearm. Short of leaving my weapon home I’m not sure what else I could do. Any other suggestions?
Thank you

 

[longfastglass]

There are no grey areas concerning SC gun laws. Lock it and leave it. Carry mase and a good knife.

 

[Throttleup]

Welcome back to South Carolina. When you reach S.C. take the weapon out of your holster and put it in your glove box or any other closed console of your vehicle. You may keep it there for your entire stay or take it into your hotel room while you are there. Seems that having had a SC CWP you would know the handgun laws. Bill

 

[FN1910]

Welcome back to South Carolina. When you reach S.C. take the weapon out of your holster and put it in your glove box or any other closed console of your vehicle. You may keep it there for your entire stay or take it into your hotel room while you are there. Seems that having had a SC CWP you would know the handgun laws. Bill

Good answer and I wonder where people get all these weird ideas about SC law concerning permits. If in SC just keep your gun in the console or glove box if you don't have a CWP. Carry it with you when you go to your motel room or onto private property. As you say if some has a SC CWP, although no longer valid, they should be aware of this. Also SC makes no distinction about loaded vs. unloaded so if you can have your gun with you there is no need to unload it.

 

[mrjam2jab]

and for the record the glove box does not have to be lockable.

SECTION 16-23-20. Unlawful carrying of handgun; exceptions.

It is unlawful for anyone to carry about the person any handgun, whether concealed or not, except as follows, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by law:

{snip**

(9) a person in a vehicle if the handgun is:

(a) secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle; however, this item is not violated if the glove compartment, console, or trunk is opened in the presence of a law enforcement officer for the sole purpose of retrieving a driver's license, registration, or proof of insurance; or

(b) concealed on or about his person, and he has a valid concealed weapons permit pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23; {licenses by SC**

 

[antifederalist22]

Unload and store in a case (hard or soft) out of reach while driving through MD--no reciprocity in communist MD.

 

[old salt]

Good answer and I wonder where people get all these weird ideas about SC law concerning permits. If in SC just keep your gun in the console or glove box if you don't have a CWP. Carry it with you when you go to your motel room or onto private property. As you say if some has a SC CWP, although no longer valid, they should be aware of this. Also SC makes no distinction about loaded vs. unloaded so if you can have your gun with you there is no need to unload it.

Sorry if I wasted your time. I thought that but justed wanted to check with others.

 

[FN1910]

Sorry if I wasted your time. I thought that but justed wanted to check with others.

You did not waste my time at all, I am just amazed at the number of people that assume that because their CWP is not valid in SC that the restrictions fall into the NJ category. It is a lot better to ask questions even if they have been answered many times before than to be wrong and really screw up.

I know that SC has a very bad reputation for 2A rights due to the reciprocity laws but in reality many of those rights have been preserved. I was just surprised that someone as knowlegeable as you about laws that had a SC CWP at one time had forgotten the basic law of carrying a gun in SC. That being inside the glove box or console is OK. It has been pretty much that way for at least the last 40 years I know.

 

[mrjam2jab]

I was just surprised that someone as knowlegeable as you about laws that had a SC CWP at one time had forgotten the basic law of carrying a gun in SC. That being inside the glove box or console is OK. It has been pretty much that way for at least the last 40 years I know.

According to this document, that particular section was added in 2007.

 

[tattedupboy]

The good thing about South Carolina is that even though your permit isn't honored there, unlicensed car carry (in either the glovebox or center console, neither of which is required to be locked) is legal, so as long as you're in your vehicle, you're not completely vulnerable.

 

[Throttleup]

mrjam2jab When I moved to South Carolina in 1978 you could carry a loaded handgun in your vehicle glove compartment. It had been that way for years, I was told. Back in the 50's, 60's most cars only had a single glove compartment. The law was later clarified to make sure other closed consoles were also covered. Remember most cars didn't even have cup holders until the late 70's and 80's. Oh yeah and you didn't get a concealed weapons permit unless you were a business owner and swore you carried large sums of money to the bank. Of course if you were related to the Sheriff, were tight with your local politicians and they'd vouch for you, well then you were the "right" kind of guy and got one. Regular working stiffs or retired folks, forget it!

 

[FN1910]

The law about the glove compartment in cars has been changed several times over the years and the present law including consoles and behind the rear seat probably was in 2007. Back in the '70's the law read latched satchel which meant almost anything from a briefcase to a gym bag and included the glove compartment. In SC the glove compartment carry has been in effect at least since the '60's (when I first got my drivers license) but has been changed to keep up with the times and changes in cars.