Governor McMaster Signs “Open Carry with Training” Act into Law

Gov. Henry McMaster signed the Open Carry with Training Act in Greenville Friday at the Palmetto State Armory. The Open Carry Law will allow people with a concealed weapon permit (CWP) to open carry a firearm.  Concealable weapons must be less than 12 inches long.  The Open Carry Law takes effect on Sunday, August 15^th.

The bill was originally passed by the General Assembly in May.  Rep. Bobby Cox, R-Greenville, who was the lead sponsor of the bill, was on hand for the signing along with Lt. Governor Pamela Evette.

In his remarks on Friday at the bill signing ceremony, McMaster said, “Owning a firearm is the protected right of every American citizen and today we join 45 other states in expanding our Second Amendment rights by allowing those with concealed weapons permits to openly carry a firearm. I will never support any encroachment on the rights of law-abiding citizens to own a gun and today I was proud to expand that right by signing the “Open Carry with Training” Act into law.”

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette a strong Second Amendment supporter was present for the bill signing ceremony.  “The right to keep and bear arms is one of the greatest freedoms granted to us by our forefathers. The ability to defend and protect ourselves, our loved ones, our property, and others from harm, is expanded through the “Open Carry with Training” Act,” said Evette. “As it goes into effect this weekend, our administration strongly values our Second Amendment rights and will continue to fight for and protect them.”

Rep. Stewart Jones, also a sponsor of the bill said, “I am proud to help pass any legislation like this that advances and defends our Second Amendment rights in South Carolina. One of the major components and important parts of this bill was language that came from the Second Amendment Preservation Act and Sanctuary Bill ensuring that the state can block any attempts by the federal government at coming for our natural right to keep and bear arms. Not only did we pass Open Carry, but most importantly we passed Constitutional Carry, which is now in the Senate. I am urging everyone to call their Senators – to pass Constitutional Carry in 2022.”

The legislation eliminates the $50 fee for concealable weapons permits but requires common sense handgun education courses on how to properly secure a firearm in its holster, de-escalation and more.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said it’s important to know that this new law doesn’t change who can carry a weapon, it merely changes the way a permit holder can carry a handgun in public.