(A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a governing body of a county, municipality, or political subdivision may temporarily restrict the otherwise lawful open carrying of a firearm on public property when a governing body issues a permit to allow a public protest, rally, fair, parade, festival, or other organized event. However, if a permit is not applied for and issued prior to an event as described in this subsection, a county, municipality, or political subdivision may not exercise the provisions of this subsection. A person or entity hosting a public protest, rally, fair, parade, festival, or other organized event must post signs at the event when open carrying is allowed or not allowed at the event.
(B) A governing body exercising the authority granted to it pursuant to this section must be specific in the area, duration, and manner in which the restriction is imposed and must provide prior notice of the restriction when feasible. In no event may the restriction extend beyond the beginning and conclusion of the event or beyond the location of the event. The duration of an event may not be scheduled for such a length of time as to frustrate the intent of this section.
(C) A county, municipality, or political subdivision may not confiscate a firearm or ammunition for a violation of this section unless incident to an otherwise lawful arrest.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 532, Section 3; 2006 Act No. 347, Section 3, eff June 9, 2006; 2021 Act No. 66 (H.3094), Section 8, eff August 15, 2021.
Editor's Note
2021 Act No. 66, Section 1, provides as follows:
"SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'Open Carry With Training Act'."
Effect of Amendment
The 2006 amendment in the first sentence deleted "the use, sale, transportation, or" and added the second sentence relating to the power to confiscate firearms or ammunition.
2021 Act No. 66, Section 8, rewrote the section.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Section 23-31-10. Purchase of rifle or shotgun in another state.
Section 23-31-20. Purchase of rifle or shotgun in this State by resident of any state.
Section 23-31-110 to 23-31-200. Repealed by 2012 Act No. 285, Section 2, eff June 29, 2012.
Section 23-31-210. Definitions.
Section 23-31-215. Issuance of permits.
Section 23-31-216. Collection and retention of fees.
Section 23-31-217. Effect on Section 16-23-20.
Section 23-31-220. Right to allow or permit concealed weapons upon premises; signs.
Section 23-31-225. Carrying concealed weapons into residences or dwellings.
Section 23-31-230. Carrying concealed weapons between automobile and accommodation.
Section 23-31-232. Carrying concealable weapons on premises of certain schools leased by churches.
Section 23-31-235. Sign requirements.
Section 23-31-240. Persons allowed to carry concealable weapons within the State.
Section 23-31-310. Definitions.
Section 23-31-320. Exceptions to application of article.
Section 23-31-350. Article not applicable to antique firearms.
Section 23-31-400. Definitions; unlawful use of firearm; violations.
Section 23-31-410. Blood and urine testing.
Section 23-31-420. Presumptions.
Section 23-31-1010. Definitions.
Section 23-31-1050. Definitions for Sections 23-31-1030 and 23-31-1040.