Open Carry with Training- What Does it Mean for Businesses

Earlier this week, Governor McMaster signed the Open Carry With Training Bill into Law. The law will now allow for people with Concealed Weapons Permits (CWP) to carry their guns openly. The law takes effect in 90 days. As with a concealed weapons permit, those who wish to carry a firearm must undergo training and background checks to be able to carry. The bill signed by the governor changes makes several changes to the law, including key provisions for businesses and governments. A full breakdown of the bill and it’s changes can be found in this article from The Spartanburg Herald Journal.

Several business groups worked to make sure that the following protections were clearly spelled out in the bill:

• Allows a private property owner to prohibit the carrying of a concealable weapon on his premises.

• Allows an employer to forbid concealable or openly carried weapons by posting a sign, “NO CONCEALABLE OR OPENLY CARRIED 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, private detectives, licensed hunters or fishermen or officers with the Department of Natural Resources.
  Note: This sign does not have to meet any state specifications or approval to be considered a valid ban of concealable or openly carried weapons.
• 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 weapons. In addition, a person or entity hosting a public protest, rally, fair, parade, festival, or other organized event must post signs at the event when open carrying is allowed.

We posted this after receiving a number of questions from our investors in several different UCC Chambers, so we pass along the information above. As with any guidance along these lines, we encourage any business with questions about this to contact their attorney for advice on how these laws directly apply to your business.