SC CWP

South Carolina Gun School CCW

If you are looking for a South Carolina CCW class, you will often see the term CWP instead. That is because South Carolina officially calls its permit a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP). “CCW,” short for concealed carry or carrying a concealed weapon, is the more common term many people use when searching for concealed carry training.

Whether you searched for South Carolina CCW, CWP training, or a concealed carry class, you are in the right place.

South Carolina Concealed Carry Training

South Carolina CWP training is designed to give students the knowledge and skills required for the state's Concealed Weapons Permit process while also building a stronger foundation for responsible handgun ownership and carry.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) oversees the state's CWP program and certifies instructors who provide approved CWP training. South Carolina currently requires new CWP applicants to provide proof of qualifying training, which includes both classroom instruction and live-fire training.

SC Gun School offers South Carolina CCW/CWP classes for new and experienced shooters who want practical instruction and a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with carrying a firearm.

What Is Covered in a South Carolina CWP Class?

South Carolina CWP instruction includes topics required by state law and SLED, along with the practical skills necessary to safely handle and carry a handgun.

Training includes subjects such as handgun safety, South Carolina laws related to firearms and the use of deadly force, proper storage, holster use, firearm retention, de-escalation, and other legal and practical considerations surrounding concealed carry. Students must also complete the required live-fire portion of the course.

The current SLED course requirements include firing a minimum of 50 rounds during the live-fire qualification, but we ask that you bring 100 rounds because you will be getting more than just what is required.

CCW vs. CWP: Is There a Difference in South Carolina?

In everyday conversation, not really.

People commonly use terms such as:

• South Carolina CCW
• CCW permit
• concealed carry permit
• concealed carry license
• CWP
• South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit

The official South Carolina term is Concealed Weapons Permit, or CWP. SLED refers to both the permit and its training program as the CWP program.

So if you are searching online for a CCW class in South Carolina, the class you are actually looking for is generally a South Carolina CWP class.

Do You Need a CWP to Carry in South Carolina?

South Carolina law changed with the state's constitutional carry legislation. A CWP is no longer the only legal avenue by which an eligible person may carry a handgun in South Carolina.

That does not make the CWP irrelevant.

South Carolina continues to issue Concealed Weapons Permits, and the CWP remains useful for people who want the benefits associated with having a state-issued permit, including circumstances involving reciprocity and travel to other states.

A permit also should not be confused with training. The legal ability to carry a firearm and the ability to safely, competently, and responsibly use one are two different things.

South Carolina CWP Live-Fire Training

A South Carolina CWP course is not classroom-only training.

SLED requires qualifying applicants to complete an approved course that includes the actual firing of a handgun in the presence of the instructor. The current minimum course of fire requires 50 rounds, but we ask that you bring 100 rounds because you will be getting more than just what is required.

Students should expect instruction on safe handgun handling before completing the shooting portion of the course.

New shooters are welcome. SLED itself notes that prior firearms experience is not required to attend a CWP course.

Find a South Carolina CCW Class

If you are ready to get your South Carolina CWP, start by finding an upcoming SC Gun School Concealed Carry class near you.

Our South Carolina CCW classes are intended to help students complete the required CWP training while developing a better understanding of firearm safety, handgun use, South Carolina law, and the responsibilities of carrying a firearm.

Browse upcoming classes below to find a date and location that works for you.