South Carolina Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam 2025 - Free Gun Law Practice Questions and Safety Study Guide

The correct response is that it is lawful to possess a machine gun in South Carolina only if an individual holds a federal license. This is in accordance with both state and federal regulations governing the ownership of fully automatic firearms. The National Firearms Act (NFA) requires that individuals who want to possess a machine gun must go through a rigorous application process, which includes background checks and tax payments, to receive the necessary federal approval.

Possessing a machine gun without this federal license is not only illegal but can carry severe penalties. This law is designed to ensure that such firearms are only in the hands of responsible individuals who have undergone the required scrutiny. In South Carolina, state laws also align with these federal requirements, thus maintaining the same standards of regulation.

It's important to note that while military personnel do have access to machine guns, this is under their official capacity and does not extend to private ownership without the appropriate federal licensing.