South Carolina Gun Storage Laws and Safe Storage Rules

Storage Requirements for Firearms in South Carolina

Current Law: No General Storage Requirements

South Carolina does not currently have a general statute requiring specific storage methods for firearms, including those carried under a concealed carry permit. There is no state law mandating the use of gun safes, trigger locks, or locked containers for firearms stored in private residences.

Specific Storage Rules on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA)

On WMA lands managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), specific storage requirements apply during transport:

• All firearms transported in vehicles on WMA lands must be unloaded and secured in a weapons case, in the trunk of a vehicle, or in a locked toolbox (SCDNR WMA Regulation 3.4).
• A firearm is considered "loaded" if it has a shell in the chamber, magazine, or (for muzzleloaders) a cap on the nipple or powder in the flash pan.
• Exception: On the Francis Marion Hunt Unit during deer hunts with dogs, loaded shotguns may be transported in vehicles.

State Preemption of Local Storage Ordinances

Pursuant to S.C. Code § 23-31-510, South Carolina preempts local governments from regulating the "transfer, ownership, possession, or transport of firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms." A 2019 South Carolina Attorney General opinion confirmed that local ordinances attempting to regulate firearm possession (such as the City of Columbia's Ordinance 2019-063) would most likely be found impermissible under this preemption statute.

Proposed Legislation (Not Enacted)

Several bills have been introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly to create firearm storage requirements, but none have been enacted into law as of the most recent legislative sessions:

H. 4931 (125th Session, 2023-2024) — Criminally Negligent Storage of Firearms

• Introduced: January 24, 2024
• Status: Referred to House Committee on Judiciary on January 24, 2024; no further action recorded
• Proposed Section 16-23-540 would have created the offense of "criminally negligent storage of a firearm"
• Would have required firearms to be secured (placed in a locked container or rendered inoperable by a trigger lock) to prevent access by children (persons under 18)
• Proposed penalties:
  • General violation: misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year
  • If a child discharges the firearm causing death or serious bodily injury: misdemeanor, fine up to $2,000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 years
• Would have required retailers to post warnings about unlawful storage accessible to minors

S. 21 (125th Session, 2023-2024) — Children's Firearm Accident Prevention Act

• Introduced: January 10, 2023
• Status: Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary (as of last available information)
• Proposed Chapter 24, Title 16 would have created tiered offenses of "criminal storage of a firearm"
• Would have required persons who keep loaded firearms on premises where a child is likely to gain access to store the firearm in a secure location
• Proposed penalties:
  • First degree (child obtains access and causes death): misdemeanor, imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to $2,000
  • Second degree (child obtains access and causes injury or discharge): misdemeanor, imprisonment up to 1 year and/or fine up to $1,000
• Exceptions included: illegal entry, firearm in reasonably secure location, firearm carried on person, trigger lock engaged, law enforcement duties, lawful self-defense, and no reasonable expectation of child presence

H. 3596 (126th Session, 2025-2026) — "The Kingston Act" (Access to Firearms by Children)

• Introduced: January 14, 2025
• Status: Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary
• Proposed Article 6, Chapter 23, Title 16 would create offenses of "unsecured firearm" and "unsupervised child firearm use" with graduated penalties
• Defines "unsecured firearm" as a firearm not secured by a locked device (trigger lock) or locked safe, gun safe, lock box, or similar device
• Proposed graduated penalties:
  • Third degree (child displays or discharges firearm placing someone in fear): misdemeanor, imprisonment up to 1 year
  • Second degree (child discharges firearm causing bodily injury): felony, imprisonment up to 20 years
  • First degree (child discharges firearm causing death): felony (penalty not fully specified in available text)
• Defines "child" as a person 17 years of age or less
• Defines "direct supervision" with specific physical proximity requirements

Summary

South Carolina currently has no general firearm storage requirements for concealed carry permit holders or gun owners. Storage rules exist only in specific contexts such as WMA lands. Multiple legislative proposals to create criminal penalties for negligent firearm storage around children have been introduced but have not been enacted into law.