Lawyer for South Carolina Weapons Charges

South Carolina has some of the most gun-friendly laws in the country. Nonetheless, the right to bear arms is not absolute, and South Carolina has passed laws that regulate the possession and sale of firearms and enhance firearm licensing and registration requirements.

South Carolina weapons laws are complicated, and you could be charged with a weapons offense even if you made a mistake and unintentionally violated the law. If you are facing weapons charges in South Carolina, Bouley Law can help.

Gun charge lawyer Jennifer Bouley offers caring, committed legal representation in South Carolina weapons and guns cases. She will carefully evaluate your situation and work to identify facts and legal defenses that she can use to seek dismissal of the weapons charges or a reduction in the severity of the penalties you face.

Contact Bouley Law today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.

South Carolina Weapons Charges

South Carolina weapons charges involve the unlawful use, sale, possession, or transportation of firearms and other dangerous weapons. Depending on the nature and severity of the offense, a conviction for this type of charge may be punishable by fines and prison time.

Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun	Unlawful carrying of a handgun is the most common weapons charge in South Carolina. These charges often arise during a traffic stop where a driver can be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm if they do not have a firearm license or if the gun is stored in a way that violates the law.
Unlawful Possession of a Handgun	Certain individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms, including convicted felons, people with a criminal conviction for domestic violence, people under certain types of restraining orders, and people under 18.
Unlawful Possession of Machine Guns, Sawed-off Shotguns and Rifles	In South Carolina, it is illegal to possess certain types of weapons, including machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, sawed-off rifles, and military firearms.
Carrying a Concealed Weapon	In South Carolina, a person needs a Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) to lawfully carry a concealed weapon. Carrying a concealed weapon without a CWP is a felony.
Pointing a Firearm at Another Person	It is illegal to point a loaded or unloaded firearm at another person. This is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

South Carolina Gun Free Zones

Even if you are otherwise permitted to carry a firearm or other weapon, you are not permitted to carry a weapon in certain areas in South Carolina, including:

• Schools, including colleges, universities, and other post-secondary educational institutions
• Places of worship
• Government buildings
• Daycare facilities
• Hospitals, medical clinics, doctors offices, and other medical facilities
• The residence of another person without their express permission
• A place clearly marked with a sign prohibiting the carrying of weapons

South Carolina Offers Diversion for Some Weapons Charges

South Carolina offers various diversion programs for some weapons charges. These programs are alternatives to traditional sentences that may be available for first-time offenders. They allow eligible offenders to avoid traditional prosecution by paying fines, attending appointments and counseling sessions, performing community service, and submitting to drug tests. To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements, including having no prior gun convictions or convictions for violent felonies.

How Bouley Law Can Help

South Carolina weapons charges lawyer Jennifer Bouley is a talented and committed advocate and a staunch defender of the rights of the accused. She can analyze your situation, explain and help you evaluate your options, and work to achieve an optimal resolution to your case.

Bouley Law is located in Beaufort County and defends people facing weapons charges throughout South Carolina. Attorney Bouley will carefully investigate your situation and analyze the applicable law to build a compelling defense designed to achieve the best possible outcome.