Campus Carry in South Carolina 

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. FURTHER, READERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING ALL THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT FOR THEMSELVES AND SHOULD SPEAK WITH A COMPETENT ATTORNEY IN THEIR STATE. 

Are there differences between private and public colleges and universities? 

It is prohibited by state law to carry a firearm on both public and private college or university property. This statute does not apply if the firearm is placed in a compartment of a locked vehicle out of plain view. 

What can students do to appeal for their Second Amendment rights if they are on an unfriendly campus? 

Students have the opportunity to advocate for their right to carry a firearm by appealing to legislators. Elected officials in the state of South Carolina have email and phone contact information listed on their respective websites. Students would be inclined to request public officials to pass legislation to permit campus carry in the state. 

What would the penalty be if a student is found with a weapon on campus grounds? 

Violators of South Carolina Code Section 16-23-420 will have their firearm permanently confiscated, be guilty of a felony, and face up to $5000 in fines and up to 5 years of jail time. 

For campuses who would allow campus carry but are prevented from doing so by their state law, what are some things the university can do to aid students? 

Campuses must work with state legislators to change the laws that prohibit them from permitting carry on campus. Otherwise, changes in school policy will not result in a change that exempts legal punishments on students looking to exercise their Second Amendment rights.