South Carolina Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Are background checks required for private gun sales in South Carolina?

1. Yes, for all private sales

2. No

3. Yes, but only for sales at gun shows

4. Yes, but only for handgun sales

The correct answer is: No

In South Carolina, background checks are not required for private gun sales, which includes transactions between private individuals that occur outside of licensed gun dealers. This means that anyone can sell a firearm to another individual without needing to perform a background check. The lack of a requirement for background checks in private sales is a key aspect of South Carolina gun laws. While some other states have instituted laws requiring background checks for all gun sales, private sales remain unregulated in this way within South Carolina. This distinction is important for understanding how gun ownership and transactions are managed in the state. In contrast, options that suggest background checks are necessary, whether for all private sales, only at gun shows, or specifically for handguns, do not align with the current legislation in South Carolina.