In the wake of tragedies like Sunday’s massacre in Nevada, laws surrounding gun ownership fall under heavy scrutiny. With more 35-50% of the world’s civilian-owned guns in the hands of Americans (who make up 5% of the world’s population), citizens in NV and beyond are wondering about their state’s position on gun regulation. So how are SC’s gun laws similar and different to those of Nevada?
While both Nevada and South Carolina issue permits for citizens to legally carry handguns, the states differ on automatic weapons. South Carolina does not allow automatic guns, machine guns, or sawed-off shotguns; in Nevada, the sale of high-capacity magazines, high-caliber weapons and ammunition + military-style weapons is legal.
In NV it is also legal to possess, buy, or sell a machine gun or silencer that is legally registered and complies with all federal laws. SC goes as far as to illegalize the ownership of any combination of parts which could assemble a machine gun and does not recognize non-resident permits or licenses from other states.
However, South Carolina ranks 4th-deadliest in the nation when it comes to gun homicide, and the rate of gun murders in the state is 47% higher than the national average.
