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Legal Information: South Carolina

State Gun Laws

Updated: 
November 13, 2023

I have a temporary order of protection against the abuser. Can his/her gun be taken away?

Nothing in South Carolina law specifically says that someone with a temporary order of protection against him/her cannot have a gun.1

1 See S.C. Code §§ 20-4-60; 16-25-30

I have a final order of protection against the abuser. Can s/he keep a gun or buy a new gun?

South Carolina law makes it illegal for someone to have or buy any firearm or ammunition if there is a valid order of protection issued against him/her from South Carolina or from a court in another state, tribe, or territory and at the time of the hearing, the judge did both of the following:

  1. made a specific determination (“findings”) that the abuser caused or attempted to cause physical harm, bodily injury, or assault to his/her household member; and
  2. specifically ordered that the person is prohibited shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition.1

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict a person’s right to have a gun under certain circumstances, including when there is a final order of protection against him/her. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

1 S.C. Code § 16-25-30(A)