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South Carolina

At a Glance

South Carolina

South Carolina has weak gun laws. State law does not require a person to pass a criminal background check before purchasing a firearm from an unlicensed seller. South Carolina can improve its gun laws in many ways including by enacting an Extreme Risk law, which would empower loved ones or law enforcement to intervene in order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms.

1044 In an average year, 1044 people die by guns in South Carolina. More at EveryStat.
#28 in the country for Gun Law Strength. See why.
In 2015, the shooter of nine worshipers at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina was able to purchase a gun because of a dangerous loophole in the background check system. He was legally prohibited from owning a firearm, but because his background check was not completed within three business days, he was able to complete the purchase. To become a safer state, South Carolina should close the Charleston loophole.

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