- Open carry is not permitted before August 15, 2021
- Keeps in place requirements that a permit holder be 21 or over, take eight hours of training and pass a background check that includes fingerprinting.
- Allows holders of a Concealed Weapons Permit “CWP” to carry a firearm having a length of less than twelve inches openly in addition to concealed
- Eliminates the $50 fee for obtaining a CWP
- In a vehicle a CWP holder can have their gun in the glove box, trunk, sealed compartment, closed console, under the seat or openly carried or concealed about his/her person.
- Continues to allow businesses and private property owners to prohibit firearms, whether worn concealed or openly, on their property by posting a sign, “NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED.” A violator may have his permit revoked for one year and fined up to $200 or jailed up to 30 days. It does not apply to any member of the armed forces, National Guard or reserves or the state militia when on duty, or to law officers, constables, and private detectives.
- Allows a permit holder to carry a gun concealed or openly at an elementary or secondary school property leased by a church for church activities. The law does not apply during any time students are present for a curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activity. School grounds leased to a church are not considered a school during the time the church is using the school property, and not subject to the Federal Gun–Free School Zone Act.
- Allows a local government or event holder to temporarily restrict open carrying of a firearm on public property during a public protest, rally, fair, parade, festival, or other organized event by posting signs prohibiting concealable weapons.
A CWP holder cannot carry (open or concealed) into:
- law enforcement, correctional, or detention facility;
- courthouse or courtroom;
- polling place on election days;
- office of or the business meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special purpose district;
- school or college athletic event not related to firearms;
- daycare facility or preschool facility;
- place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law;
- church or other established religious sanctuary unless express permission is given by the appropriate church official or governing body;
- hospital, medical clinic, doctor’s office, or any other facility where medical services or procedures are performed unless expressly authorized by the employer; or
- place clearly marked with a sign prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon on the premises. Except that a property owner or an agent acting on his behalf, by express written consent, may allow individuals of his choosing to enter onto property regardless of any posted sign to the contrary.
- Into the residence or dwelling place of another person without the express permission of the owner or person in legal control or possession.
- Into a business that sells alcohol/beer for on premises consumption if the person is consuming alcohol, or the business has a “no concealed weapons” sign posted.
Click here for our Quick Info printable flyer.
More CWP information can be found on the SLED website.