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80% Arms sells AR-15 and .308 80% Lower Receivers, 80% Lower Jigs and other accessories which allow you to legally build a firearm at home in most states.
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South Carolina 80 Percent Lower Laws thumbnail image

South Carolina 80 Percent Lower Laws

80 Percent Arms   |   Jan 31st 2022

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here.

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80 percent lowers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In South Carolina?

As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF and are legal to ship directly to buyers residing in the state of South Carolina.

Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in South Carolina?

If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in South Carolina you do not need to serialize the lower receiver or frame as there are currently no laws requiring citizens to do so. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver we offer  custom engraving for our lowers.

Key Gun Laws in South Carolina

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through South Carolina.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

To purchase a long gun in South Carolina buyers must be at least 18 years old. To purchase a handgun in South Carolina buyers must be at least 21 years old. No extra permits are needed to purchase handguns or long guns in South Carolina nor is extra registration necessary. South Carolina’s minimum age for possession of handguns is 18 years old and there is no minimum age restriction for possession of long guns. In the event a minor is in possession of a handgun the normal exemption applies when minors are in the direct supervision or presence of their parents, guardian or when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.

All firearm purchases and transfers require a background check not including private party transfers (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. South Carolina is not a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the FBI along with another background check that is to be conducted by the state police or local chief of police. South Carolina CCW holders are exempt from background checks when purchasing a gun from a FFL dealer.

Open and Concealed Carrying

South Carolina is a “shall-issue” state for ccw’s with permits being issued at the state level by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division or (SLED). CCW’s are offered to South Carolina residents in the form of a “CWP” or Concealed Weapons Permit. Open carrying is legal for those with a CWP only. CWP applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete a state approved course. be able to explain why they need a firearm and must also be able to provide three references. Non-residents that own property in the state are also eligible to apply for a CWP otherwise applicants would have to be military personnel stationed in South Carolina. For more details on their concealed carrying policies see South Carolina’s reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

Residents in South Carolina can legally purchase and possess all NFA weapons and related items however, for automatic weapons, the state restricts ownership of any guns that were made after May of 1986. Also, South Carolina does not have any “assault weapons” bans. 

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

There are no magazine capacity restrictions in South Carolina. Enjoy those sticks, drums and belt-fed box magazines! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like the Advanced Warfighter mag from Lancer which is a 30 rounder too. Our favorite color is the translucent smoke one.

Mandatory Storage Requirements

South Carolina does not require firearm owners to lock their firearms in any way, shape or form. I.e. “mandatory storage requirements” however, you should still exercise caution because you can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are 5 ways to safely store firearms at home.

Self-Defense

South Carolina is a castle doctrine state and has a stand your ground law in place which means that any person has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his ground and use force, including deadly force if he/she is in a place where they have a right to be including, nut not limited to, their home, place of business, or places outside of their persona residence if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to themself or another person or to prevent the commission of a violent crime.

Ammunition Purchase

South Carolina does not require a license for the purchase, possession or sale of ammo. The only type of ammunition that is prohibited and restricted in South Carolina is armor piercing rounds that are teflon coated. Otherwise, there are no known ammo restrictions and online ammo purchases require buyers to be at least 21 years old.

Start Your Next 80 Lower Build with 80% Arms!

South Carolina residents are completely free to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. At this time there have not been any bans on 80 percents so take advantage of your constitutional Second Amendment right and freedom to keep, bear and build your own arms while you can! Grab a  jig and some buddies to enjoy that freedom together and let us know if you need any advice with your build at any point in the process. Friends, live free.