ccwinstructor
Centurion
While researching the history of the ban on open carry in South Carolina, (it appears to have been enacted in 1962) it became clear the open or concealed carry of antique or curio handguns, loaded, would generally be legal in the state.
Has anyone attempted to do this or actually done it?
There are many antique or collectible handguns which are perfectly usable for self defense. Consider the French 1873 11 mm or the Webley revolvers pre-1898, or the Colt single-actions. Presumably all the pistols on the curio and relic list, as well as all antiques under federal law, and all pistols which can be shown to be "collectors items" would be exempt. The law reads thus:
South Carolina code Section 16-23-10 definitions
(1) "Handgun" means any firearm designed to expel a projectile and designed to be fired from the hand, but shall not include any firearm generally recognized or classified as an antique, curiosity, or collector's item, or any that does not fire fixed cartridges.
The ATF curio and relic list would seem to meet the "generally recognized" requirement. Here are a few handguns on the curio and relic list:
System Colt Model 1927, Astra 400 model 1921, some Browning High Power pistols, many commemorative model pistols, Colt Officers Model .38, 1904-1930, all CZ-52 pistols. All CZ 50 pistols, all P-38 pistols made before 1947. Commemorative H&R model 999. Most High Standard competition target pistols, including the Model B. Russian and East German 9mm Makarov pistols. All Polish Model 64 pistols in 9x18. Many Ruger single actions. All Russian Nagant manufactured by the Tula Arsenal.
All Savage Model 1907, 1915, and 1917 pistols. Many Smith & Wesson models of specific types.
I am surprised no one has organized an open carry of antiques march in South Carolina, to show the stupidity of the law.
I live in Arizona, so it is a bit out of my way.
Has anyone attempted to do this or actually done it?
There are many antique or collectible handguns which are perfectly usable for self defense. Consider the French 1873 11 mm or the Webley revolvers pre-1898, or the Colt single-actions. Presumably all the pistols on the curio and relic list, as well as all antiques under federal law, and all pistols which can be shown to be "collectors items" would be exempt. The law reads thus:
South Carolina code Section 16-23-10 definitions
(1) "Handgun" means any firearm designed to expel a projectile and designed to be fired from the hand, but shall not include any firearm generally recognized or classified as an antique, curiosity, or collector's item, or any that does not fire fixed cartridges.
The ATF curio and relic list would seem to meet the "generally recognized" requirement. Here are a few handguns on the curio and relic list:
System Colt Model 1927, Astra 400 model 1921, some Browning High Power pistols, many commemorative model pistols, Colt Officers Model .38, 1904-1930, all CZ-52 pistols. All CZ 50 pistols, all P-38 pistols made before 1947. Commemorative H&R model 999. Most High Standard competition target pistols, including the Model B. Russian and East German 9mm Makarov pistols. All Polish Model 64 pistols in 9x18. Many Ruger single actions. All Russian Nagant manufactured by the Tula Arsenal.
All Savage Model 1907, 1915, and 1917 pistols. Many Smith & Wesson models of specific types.
I am surprised no one has organized an open carry of antiques march in South Carolina, to show the stupidity of the law.
I live in Arizona, so it is a bit out of my way.