How to Sell a Gun in South Carolina: A Comprehensive Guide
Selling a firearm can be a complicated process in general, which is why it is recommenced that those looking to sell in South Carolina be informed of state and federal regulations surrounding firearms. Though the state of South Carolina has some restrictions surrounding firearms sales, laws are relatively lenient when compared to some other more strict states.
Buyers and sellers must adhere to regulations in place when selling a gun to ensure laws are not broken during the transaction. To help inform South Carolinians, Dunlap Gun Buyers has put together a helpful guide to navigate the regulations in place for firearm sales.
The following information was compiled from the official South Carolina State Legislature website and a memorandum on South Carolina State Laws from the South Carolina Office of Attorney General to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
What Selling Options do Gun Owners Have in South Carolina?
There are a few ways gun owners can sell a firearm in a legal transaction:
- Gun owners can sell a firearm to a local dealer. This is a good way to help ensure gun owners are complying with gun laws in South Carolina for firearm sales. However, sellers may be leaving money on the table by selling for much less than the gun’s actual market value.
- Gun owners can sell a firearm through a private transaction. In the state of South Carolina, there are no specific laws regulating private sales of firearms between two unlicensed individuals in South Carolina. However, there are criminal penalties for buyers and sellers if the firearm was sold to an ineligible person, selling a defaced firearm or selling a restricted firearm (explosive weapon, machine gun), which can result in different criminal charges including and up to a felony criminal charge. Here is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives guidance on the transfer of a firearm by private sellers.
- Another option if simply wanting to legally dispose of a firearm is surrendering it to local law enforcement. However, by doing this, gun owners potentially lose on hundreds or even thousands of dollars those guns could be worth in a sale.
What is the Process of Buying a Firearm from a Dealer in South Carolina?
Anyone purchasing a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer must complete a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms form 4473 (firearms transaction form). This form will be maintained by the dealer. A firearms purchaser must, under the permanent provisions of the Federal Brady Law, also undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System check, which will be performed by the firearms dealer.
This check will indicate to the dealer whether the purchaser’s background allows for the person to complete the purchase of the firearm. If the check disallows the sale for no warranted reason, there is an appeal process the purchaser can pursue to receive the necessary clearance to complete the purchase.
South Carolina Firearm Ownership Restrictions
Generally, South Carolina defaults to federal law regarding the sale and purchase of firearms. South Carolina law specifies that it is unlawful for a person to sell, rent or give away a machine gun, military firearm, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle. State law also prohibits people from possessing, storing or keeping a machine gun, military firearm, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle.
In order to purchase a firearm legally, the buyer must be 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns and ammunition. Buyers looking to purchase handguns must be at least 21 years old.
The following disqualifies a person in South Carolina from purchasing a firearm.
FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES
- Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
- Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
- Felony pre-trial release.
- Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
- Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
- Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
- Renounced U.S. citizenship.
- Illegal alien.
Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Dunlap Gun Buyers
If the hassle of navigating South Carolina’s gun laws seems overwhelming, we’re excited to tell you that there’s a better way!
You can safely, easily and legally sell your handgun or long gun to Dunlap Gun Buyers and be 100% compliant with South Carolina’s gun laws.
We have a Federal Firearms Licensee, who is licensed by the U.S. Government to help people with selling and transferring of firearms. We take care of the hard part and make the process safe, quick and hassle-free. The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house.
Just tell us which gun(s) you’d like to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us. When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days.
When you use Dunlap Gun Buyers, you get the following unbeatable benefits!
Free gun appraisal – Fair price for your gun – Free shipping
Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!
Begin our safe and discrete process here.
“DISCLAIMER”
The information contained on this website has been prepared as a service to the internet community and is not intended to constitute legal advice. CashMyGuns.com has used reasonable efforts in collecting, preparing, and providing quality information and material, but does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or currency of the information contained in or linked to this website. Users of information from this website or links do so at their own risk and should consult their local firearm law resources and/or an attorney when engaging in selling a firearm. The cited information in this article was obtained on 09/15/2023 at scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c031.php , atf.gov/firearms/docs/guide/south-carolina-state-laws-and-published-ordinances/download
© 3/30/20