south carolina ccw

[scallop]

I am off to spend a week in Myrtle beach tomorrow. I know that SC honors my Ohio ccw permit. Could anyone tell me if carry in bars/restaurants is ok in SC? Are you allowed to consume while carrying? Cannot wait until our new law in Oh comes into effect and I do not have to disarm when going out to eat! One of the stupidest and most dangerous laws around IMO. Now if they would get progressive enough to let you have a beer with dinner while carrying.......

 

[elgin111]

Sc cwp

Yes, your OH CWP is valid in SC.

No, you cannot carry in any business that sells alcohol for consumption on premises - whether or not you are drinking.

Sorry... but, enjoy Myrtle Beach!

Ed

 

[lawson4]

That means you can't carry in Chili's, AppleBee's, etc. SC doesn't have bars; we have lounges and restaurants. All establishments that sell alcohol for on premises consumption must sell food, also.

lawson4

 

[scallop]

Thanks for your answers, would definately make for a ruined vacation if uninformed! Seems to be pretty much like Ohio is now so nothing new just the same ol aggravation. Does SC have the must inform rule for a LEO, in case of a traffic stop of some such?

 

[Sam1911]

Before you go anywhere with your gun you should always check www.handgunlaw.us to make sure you understand all the off-limits places, duty to inform, restrictions that may apply, etc.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/southcarolina.pdf

"Pretty much like Ohio" isn't as good as knowing (and even carrying with you) a reference sheet on the actual laws of the state you'll be in. Few of these rules are intuitive, or consistent from state to state. Better have your fact sheet with you and read it several times carefully before you go.

I usually read over it a couple of times during a trip as well, just to re-familiarize myself with the quirks that could really ruin a whole lot more than just my vacation!

 

[lawson4]

It is a must inform state IF you are carrying pursuant to your CWP.
You can carry a loaded handgun in your car, in the closed glove box or closed console, or in a container with intergal fastener in the area usually used for carryiong luggage, without a CWP. If located in those areas, you are not required to inform.

lawson4

 

[BridgeTooFar]

What's really odd is that the SC Handgunlaw.us page states:

Carry in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
NO
Note: What is defined as carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol is a place like Friday’s or Red Lobster. This may or may not mean the bar or the bar area of a restaurant. But you can carry your firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol and sit and eat. Handgunlaw.us recommends you not sit at the Bar or in the Bar area of such restaurants. In some states it is illegal to be in the Bar area of such restaurants. Handgunlaw.us believes you should never consume alcohol when carrying your firearm. In some states it is illegal to take even one drink while carrying a firearm.

The part in bold is what I'm questioning. That seems to say that it's ok to carry pursuant to a CWP in Applebee's, etc. I know that's not the case (there are a couple of bills being bounced around to change that, but at the moment, that's not true - carrying in Applebee's pursuant to a CWP is not allowed). If the place serves alcohol for on premises consumption (and that means they have an ABC On Premises Consumption Permit), you may not carry there.

Also, I know that there's a rule that says you cannot carry on [any] school grounds (not just for athletic events), but I cannot find it. I know this because there was a big stink not long ago (~6-10 months ago) when they changed it to say that a CWP holder could bring a gun on school grounds so long as it stayed with them in the vehicle or was left in a locked vehicle (i.e. - if a parent who was a CWP holder went into the school, so long as their vehicle was locked, they could leave the gun in there while they were in the school).

Finally, SC is a must inform state in that you must present your CWP to a law enforcement officer if they ask to see your driver's license (or ID). This is without exception, and I have personally seen this requirement both ruin someone's night and be held up in court (when later challenged).

 

[Sam1911]

The part in bold is that I'm questioning. That seems to say that it's ok to carry pursuant to a CWP in Applebee's, etc.

I take that segment to be a general statement on what constitues carrying in a restaurant, in an attempt to simplify all the various definitions the states have for just how close to alcohol you're allowed to be while armed, but I agree it is confusing.

The operative phrase is "NO," you cannot do (even) the following.

Gary Slider is a member here. I'll send him a PM and ask if he could clarify that.

 

[cerberus65]

SC resident here...

My understanding is that carrying into a restaurant that serves alcohol is a big no-no.

From http://www.sled.sc.gov/SCStateGunLaws1.aspx?MenuID=CWP I found:

SECTION 16-23-465. Additional penalty for unlawfully carrying pistol or firearm onto premises of business selling alcoholic liquors, beers or wines for on premises consumption.

In addition to the penalties provided for by Sections 16 11 330 and 16 23 460 and by Article 1 of Chapter 23 of Title 16, a person convicted of carrying a pistol or firearm into a business which sells alcoholic liquor, beer, or wine for consumption on the premises is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
In addition to the penalties described above, a person who violates this section while carrying a concealable weapon pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, must have his concealed weapon permit revoked.

I'd love to be wrong but I'm pretty sure it's a no-no.

 

[scallop]

Thanks all for your input and info. Sam by "pretty much like Ohio" I meant if a place serves alcohol leave the gun in your car. I know each state is different an was just looking for some general information.

 

[Gary Slider]

The Section is titled "Carry in Restaurants that Serves Alcohol.

It says Yes or No which answers the question can you carry in a restaurant in that state that serves alcohol. Then it gives what we define as a restaurant. Handgunlaw.us titles the section Carry in Restaurant that serves Alcohol. In some states you can carry in a bar and even drink. In some you can carry in a restaurant and sit anywhere. In some you can carry in the eating part but not the bar or bar area.

We defined a restaurant as that is the question we get all the time. We never get ask about carrying in a bar. I do get comments that state: "We can carry in Bars Also!" We don't supply that info what we supply is info on carrying in a restaurant like Red Lobster or Friday's. If people want to know about carrying in bars they can look up the law themselves.