Is an Alabama Non-Resident Permit Valid in South Carolina?

Why

• Alabama does not issue carry permits to non-residents (alea: alabama issues concealed carry permits only to alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence).

S.C. Code 23-31-215(N)(1) honors out-of-state permits only when 'held by a resident of a reciprocal state' whose permitting requires a background check and firearm training; Georgia and North Carolina permits are recognized automatically under (N)(2). Recognition covers handguns only. Largely moot for visitors 18+, who may carry permitless.

Carry rules in South Carolina

Whatever your permit status, South Carolina law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• SLED H.3594 guidance: a CWP holder or permitless carrier 'DOES NOT have a duty to notify a law enforcement officer that they are carrying a firearm', and a CWP holder is not required to carry the CWP or disclose CWP status.
• South Carolina sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• South Carolina allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• No restrictions on guns inside vehicles — a person not prohibited from possessing a firearm may store it anywhere in a vehicle, openly or concealed (SLED H.3594 guidance).

Off-limits places in South Carolina

South Carolina bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Law enforcement, correctional or detention facilities
• Courthouses and courtrooms (publicly owned buildings where court is in session)

See all 6 places you can't carry in South Carolina →

Alabama vs South Carolina: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Alabama into South Carolina changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes (19+) → Yes (18+)); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 2 states).

Going the other way, a South Carolina non-resident permit in Alabama: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from South Carolina

How an Alabama non-resident permit fares in the states bordering South Carolina:

• Georgia — No such permit issued
• North Carolina — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does South Carolina honor an Alabama resident permit?

Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because South Carolina treats the two permit types differently.

Can a South Carolina non-resident permit holder carry in Alabama?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Alabama's law, not South Carolina's.

Does Alabama issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Alabama issues carry permits to residents only (aLEA: Alabama issues concealed carry permits only to Alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.