Is a North Carolina Non-Resident Permit Valid in South Carolina?

Why

• North Carolina does not issue carry permits to non-residents (applicant must have been a north carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (g.s. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits).

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

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside South Carolina, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• 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 →

North Carolina vs South Carolina: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into South Carolina changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); duty to inform police (Yes → No); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 2 states).

Going the other way, a South Carolina non-resident permit in North Carolina: recognized — carry with your permit.

Driving on from South Carolina

How a North Carolina non-resident permit fares in the states bordering South Carolina:

• Georgia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does South Carolina honor a North Carolina resident permit?

Recognized — and 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 North Carolina?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on North Carolina's law, not South Carolina's.

Does North Carolina issue non-resident carry permits?

No. North Carolina issues carry permits to residents only (applicant must have been a North Carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (G.S. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits). 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.