Where did you get this info? SC issues non resident permits to persons out of state who own property here.Also any resident,as long as legal,may get a permit,even apartment renters.Simply must be a resident of the state. thanks
Yeah, exactly. What about non-residents who do not own real estate in SC? They're hosed. One can think of numerous examples where this is an issue.
EXAMPLE 1: A traveling salesman from, say, Augusta, Georgia spends a significant amount of time in SC on business. They hold a Georgia Permit (resident) and a Florida Permit (non-resident). SC doesn't honor Georgia permits. SC won't honor the FL permit as the individual isn't a resident of Florida. And the individual can't get a SC permit unless they buy real estate in SC. SC also bars unlicensed open carry. Right denied.
EXAMPLE 2: A military spouse who is a resident of, say, Utah accompanies their active duty soldier to SC. Under the terms of the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act, they choose to retain Utah residency for whatever reason (maybe they or their kid are pursuing education at Brigham Young U or something). They have to move again in three years so they rent a house instead of buying. Utah's permit is not honored in SC. SC will issue the active duty family member a CWP but not the spouse. SC also bars unlicensed open carry. Right denied.
EXAMPLE 3: A poor soul from Chicago is visiting America and chooses to spend tourist dollars in SC on a vacation to Myrtle Beach. This individual has an Illinois FOID as well as Utah and Florida permits (non-resident) for use when traveling because Illinois won't issue permits. SC won't honor the Utah or FL permits, and its impossible to get a permit from Illinois. SC also bars unlicensed open carry. Right denied.
EXAMPLE 4: A college student age 20 in the National Guard goes to USC and establishes SC residency. The individual may have been allowed to OC in their home state but cannot be eligible for a SC CWP until age 21. SC bars unlicensed open carry. Right denied.
Any transient in SC who is not a domiciliary of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming is basically denied any sort of carry rights in SC. Allowing unlicensed open carry would go a long ways towards fixing that.
As for turn around time -- it is not rare to find folks who report wait times over 90 days. The statute says SLED has 90 days to turn the packages around but that goal is not always met. Even if they did manage to meet that goal all the time, it is going to take time to take the class, get fingerprinted (probably during business hours on a work day -- so you need to take off from work), and submit the application. Sucks to be you if there's an imminent threat I guess. Unlicensed open carry would also solve the imminent threat problem.