Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Background Checks Bill
South Carolina bill requires background checks for all gun sales
Firearms Criminal Background Checks
Good for everyday people ·
This bill would require a criminal background check for almost every gun sale in the state, including at gun shows and between private buyers.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
Right now, people can buy guns from private sellers or at gun shows without a background check. This bill would close that loophole. It makes sure anyone buying a gun goes through a licensed dealer to check their criminal record first. Buyers might have to pay a small fee for the check. However, this is a strong move to keep guns away from people who are not allowed to have them.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Requires a criminal background check for any sale or trade of a gun.
- Forces gun shows to have licensed dealers on site to run these checks.
- Allows dealers to charge buyers up to $25 to run the check.
- Makes an exception for giving a gun to an immediate family member like a spouse or child.
- Makes it a crime with up to a $1,000 fine or a year in jail if you skip the check.
- Keeps the background check records private so the public cannot look them up.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the South Carolina Bill Book 2026
The best and worst South Carolina bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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