South Carolina 2026 Second Amendment Bills

South Carolina’s 126th General Assembly (2025-2026) is a two-year session. The 2025 portion adjourned sine die in May 2025, with many bills carrying over to 2026. The 2026 regular session convened in January and was set to adjourn sine die around mid-May 2026 (potentially May 14). South Carolina has strong Second Amendment protections, including constitutional/permitless carry (open and concealed for eligible adults 18+ since the 2024 law). 

Key Second Amendment-Related Bills (2026 Activity)

•  H.4723 (South Carolina Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act / PLCAA): Sponsored by Rep. Wooten and others. This strengthens protections for firearm manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and trade associations against “qualified civil liability actions” stemming from criminal misuse of firearms or accessories. It reinforces the federal PLCAA framework at the state level to shield lawful commerce. Introduced early 2026; advanced with support from pro-2A groups like NSSF and GOA. 

•  H.3930 / Related (Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act): Prohibits payment card networks from using special merchant category codes (MCCs) that distinguish firearm/ammunition retailers, prevents government entities from maintaining registries of gun owners via financial data, and includes enforcement by the Attorney General. Passed the House in 2025 and carried over; saw continued momentum in 2026 committees. 

•  H.3872 (Hunting Heritage Protection Act): Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt policies ensuring no net loss of hunting/fishing lands. Passed the House in 2025 (carried over) with strong support; advanced further in 2026 as a pro-hunting/2A heritage measure. 

•  S.136 / H.136 (Dismissal of Pending Gun Possession Charges): Cleans up pre-constitutional carry charges for unlawful handgun possession. Vetoed by Gov. McMaster but overridden by the legislature (Senate in 2025, House in January 2026). Became law effective January 2026. 

Other Notable Measures

•  Anti-constitutional carry efforts (e.g., S.145): Attempts to repeal the 2024 permitless carry law. Referred to committee with little to no progress. 

•  Campus carry expansions (e.g., H.3283, H.5163): Proposals to allow concealed weapons on college campuses under certain conditions. Referred to Judiciary; limited advancement. 

•  Tax exemptions/sales holidays: Proposals like sales tax breaks for firearms/ammunition (e.g., H.3855, H.4092) referred to Ways & Means. 

•  Red flag / extreme risk protective orders (e.g., H.3743) and safe storage mandates: Generally stalled in the Republican-controlled legislature. 

•  Resolutions like H.5070: Symbolic support for the Second Amendment. Introduced but remained in committee. 

Outcomes and Context

Pro-2A priorities (industry protections, financial privacy, hunting heritage, and cleanup from constitutional carry) saw the most movement, with carryover bills from 2025 advancing in 2026. Major expansions or restrictions had limited success amid a pro-gun majority. No sweeping rollbacks of rights occurred. The session emphasized reinforcing existing strong laws rather than major overhauls. 

For the latest bill texts, statuses, and history, check the official South Carolina Legislature site (scstatehouse.gov), LegiScan, or trackers from NRA-ILA, SC 2nd Amendment groups, or NSSF. Governor McMaster’s office posts signed bills. Watch for any post-sine die special sessions. Similar debates are expected in future cycles.