Self Defense and The Law in South Carolina

Legal Self Defense Weapons in South Carolina

Firearms
Pepperspray
Stun guns
Knives
Tactical Pens
Personal alarms

South Carolina Self Defense & Castle Doctrine Laws

South Carolina is a stand your ground and castle doctrine state.

This means that are you allowed to use up to deadly force to defend yourself, someone else, on your property and there is no duty to retreat on your property. It’s important to note that you absolutely could not have started the altercation to be covered under this protection. In other words, you couldn’t have intentionally shoved someone and then shoot him when he shoves you back.

Some situations where deadly force is allowed:

If you believe someone is about to use unlawful deadly force;
If you believe that a burglar is about to use physical force;
If someone is about to rape, kidnap, assault, or rob you.
When a person attempts to unlawfully enter a home or vehicle, or attempts to remove a person from such in order to occupy it.
When someone attempts to injure another person

You may not use a gun booby trap to protect your property in South Carolina. Don’t do it! This has been adjudicated again and again. If you are caught using a booby trap you will be fined and go to jail. What’s worse, and perhaps the biggest kick in the teeth ever, is even if you manage to injury a trespasser you would be liable for civil (money) damages; in other words, you’d end up having to pay the guy who broke into your house!

SECTION 16-23-450. Placing loaded trap gun, spring gun or like device.

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, set or place a loaded trap gun, spring gun or any like device in any manner in any building or in any place within this State, and any violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment of not less than thirty days nor more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

South Carolina Gun Laws

SC is a ‘shall issue’ state for concealed carry permits
Open carry of a handgun is prohibited in South Carolina
No permit is required to purchase a gun
No assault weapons ban but federal laws are enforced
Localities may not pass any law the restricts the rights to bear arms

South Carolina honors concealed carry permits from the following states:

Alaska	Arizona	Arkansas
Florida	Georgia	Idaho (enhanced permits only)
Kansas	Kentucky	Louisiana
Michigan	Missouri	New Mexico
North Carolina	North Dakota	Ohio
Oklahoma	South Dakota (enhanced permits only)	Texas
Tennessee	Virginia	West Virginia
Wyoming	xxx	xxx

South Carolina does issue a CCW permit to a non-resident from a non-reciprocal state only if the non-resident owns real property in South Carolina as per Title 23 Chapter 31 Article 4 Section 23-31-210

There are some places you may not carry a concealed weapon even with a concealed weapons permit in South Carolina:

Police stations/Courthouses
Schools/Daycare facilities
Polling places
Meeting places of government officials
Churches
Hospitals
Businesses with a “No Concealed Weapons Allowed” sign
Someone else’s home without their permission

(source)

Can I Shoot My Gun in my Backyard in South Carolina?

There is no law in South Carolina prohibiting you from firing a gun on your own property. The ‘unlawful discharge‘ statute only prohibits firing a gun into an occupied building or vehicle. However, if you live in a city or suburb many of these localities have noise or nuisance ordinances that would prohibit you from firing your gun in your own backyard.

Is Pepper Spray Legal in South Carolina?

Pepper spray (also known as capsaicin spray) is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears. Its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision.

This temporary blindness allows officers to more easily restrain subjects and permits people in danger to use pepper spray in self-defense for an opportunity to escape. It also causes temporary discomfort and burning of the lungs which causes shortness of breath. Pepper Spray is completely legal to own and use in self-defense in South Carolina so long as you’re not a convicted felon. (source)

Personal Sirens are Legal in South Carolina

When you think of a self-defense weapon an alarm may not be the first thing that comes to mind but believe me a personal alarm is one of the best self-defense weapons that you can have! This isn’t an ordinary alarm.

A personal alarm is more produces a sound of more than 100 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer! Trust me when I say it’s shrill and loud. You wouldn’t want this alarm sounding in your ear. Also, causing a scene by making a lot of noise is a great tool to defend yourself against any surprise attack whether it be a mugger or purse snatcher. You can get a good personal alarm here.

Tactical Pens are Legal in South Carolina

A tactical pen is essentially a hidden self-defense tool. What better way to hide a defense weapon other than in plain sight. It can be used for writing, stopping someone by causing a minor wound, breaking things and even breaking glass if you use it well.

The tactical pens were created for people who don’t want to use a gun for self-defense and wish to have some useful things that can potentially become a weapon. You can get the Ape Survival Multi-Use Tactical pen for free here. It’s a screw diver, hexa-wrench, flashlight, and glass breaker, and yes it actually writes. And of course, it’s legal in The Palmetto State.