Rick Daniel
Member
Good News! South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster has issued an opinion indicating that CWP reciprocity between South Carolina and North Carolina is indeed possible.
Until now the practical definition of South Carolina's legal standard of "equal to or stricter" has been unclear. SLED has used a strict interpretation of the phrase making it difficult to have agreements with other states. The Attorney General has now made it clear that "equal to" does not mean "exactly the same". This means that minor differences in issuance procedures are not necessarily a roadbock to reciprocity/recognition.
The Attorney General says that a court applying the standard would likely say that the two laws are similar enough to allow reciprocity. It is now up to SLED to consider the AG's legal analysis and decide whether or not to finally enter into a reciprocity/recognition agreement with North Carolina. If SLED agrees it could open up other states as well.
South Carolina gun owners owe a big thanks to Representative Bill Sandifer who brought the problem to the Attorney General's attention and requested the opinion. Also thanks to our fine AG Henry McMaster who has shown a willingness to help gun owners.
Until now the practical definition of South Carolina's legal standard of "equal to or stricter" has been unclear. SLED has used a strict interpretation of the phrase making it difficult to have agreements with other states. The Attorney General has now made it clear that "equal to" does not mean "exactly the same". This means that minor differences in issuance procedures are not necessarily a roadbock to reciprocity/recognition.
The Attorney General says that a court applying the standard would likely say that the two laws are similar enough to allow reciprocity. It is now up to SLED to consider the AG's legal analysis and decide whether or not to finally enter into a reciprocity/recognition agreement with North Carolina. If SLED agrees it could open up other states as well.
South Carolina gun owners owe a big thanks to Representative Bill Sandifer who brought the problem to the Attorney General's attention and requested the opinion. Also thanks to our fine AG Henry McMaster who has shown a willingness to help gun owners.