STATE
SOUTH CAROLINA GUN LAWS
South Carolina has some of the weakest gun laws in the country. State lawmakers must take immediate action to protect residents from gun violence.
Scorecard Grade
South Carolina’s gun laws are filled with gaps. In 2024, South Carolina had the 11th highest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 1,091 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every eight hours. Fifty-two percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 45% are gun homicides. In South Carolina, the rate of gun deaths increased by 13% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE SOUTH CAROLINA’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What South Carolina Does Well
- Partial mental health record reporting
What South Carolina Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Most domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Child access prevention laws
- Community violence intervention funding
- Open carry regulations
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?