Applicant shall read and understand South Carolina laws regarding concealed weapons.
Fees are payable by cashier's check, certified check, or money order,
payable to:
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Submit the completed, original application form included in this packet.
DO not send a photocopied application. Please keep a photo copy of
the application for your files in the event follow-up is required
regarding your application.
Fingerprint cards must be filled out completely, including your name,
signature, social security number, address, date of birth, and your
physical characteristics (sex, race, height, etc.). Two (2) fingerprint
cards are required on new applicants. One (1) fingerprint card is
required for renewals.
Fingerprint cards must be legible. Fingerprints should be taken by
trained fingerprint technicians. Fingerprint cards that are not legible
will be returned to the applicant and will cause a delay in processing
the application.
Proof of Residence - An applicant must provide his/her current address
on the original or certified copy of one of the following:
a. Valid South Carolina drivers license
b. Official I.D. card issued by the Department of Public
Safety, a federal or state law enforcement agency, an
agency of the United States Department of Defense, or
United States Department of State
c. Voters registration card
d. Another document that SLED may determine that fulfills
this requirement
Proof of Training - An applicant has to provide the original or
certified copy of documents that certify that the applicant has
successfully completed a basic or advanced 8 hour handgun course
within three (3) years before filing an application. This course
has to be approved by SLED.
Proof of Actual or Corrected Vision Rated at 20/40 within 6 months
of the date of application or presentation of a valid South Carolina
drivers license.
Proof of Exemption - Must provide documentation that certifies that the
applicant is a disabled veteran or retired law enforcement officer.
Concealed Weapon permit is valid statewide.
Permit holder must have his permit identification card in his
possession whenever he carries a concealable weapon.
Permit holder must report the loss or theft of a permit identification
card to SLED headquarters IMMEDIATELY.
Any change of permanent address must be communicated in writing to
SLED within ten days (10) of the change accompanied by your old permit
card and a payment of $5.00 for a new permit reflecting the address change.
This application form is used to apply for a concealed weapons permit
and renewal of a concealed permit.
Eligibility:
1. Must be lawfully present in the United States and a resident* of
South Carolina.
*a. "Resident" means an individual who is a resident of South
Carolina for at least twelve months preceeding the date
on which an application to carry a weapon is submitted.
*b. Military personnel on permanent change of station orders.
2. Must be at least 21 years of age.
3. Not prohibited under State Law from possessing a weapon.
4. Have satisfactorily completed a SLED approved Firearms Safety
Training Program (8 hours).
Exceptions:
1. Regular, salaried law enforcement officers and reserve officer
police officers of a municipality or county of the State,
uncompensated Governor's constables, law enforcement
officers of the federal government or other states when carrying
out official duties while in this State and deputy enforcement
officers of the Natural Resources Enforcement Division of the
Department of Natural Resources, and retired commissioned law
enforcement officers employed as private detective or private
investigators.
2. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the
National Guard, organized reserves or the State Militia while
on duty.
3. Members of organizations authorized by law to purchase or
receive firearms from the United States or this State, or
regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose
of target shooting or collecting modern and antique firearms
while these members are at or going to or from their places
of target practice or their shows and exhibits.
4. Licensed hunters or fishermen while engaged in hunting or
fishing or going to or from their places of hunting or fishing.
5. Any person regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing,
repairing, reposession, or dealing in firearms or the agent of
representative of this person while possessing, using, or
carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of this business.
6. Guards engaged in protection of property of the United States
or any agency thereof.
7. Any authorized military or civil organizations while parading or
the members thereof when going to and from the places of
meeting of their respective organizations.
8. Any person in his home, or upon his real property, or fixed
place of business.
9. Any person in a vehicle where the pistol is secured in a
closed glove compartment, closed console, or closed trunk.
10. Any person carrying a pistol unloaded and in a secure wrapper
from the place of purchase to his home or a fixed place of
business or while in the process of changing or moving of
one's residence or the changing or moving of his fixed place
of business.
11. Any prison guard while engaged in his official business.
12. Any person who is granted a permit under provision of law
by the State Law Enforcement Division to carry a pistol about
his person, under conditions set forth in the permit.
Prohibited Carry Locations