(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon express permission given by the appropriate church official or governing body, a person who holds a valid permit issued pursuant to this article may carry a concealable weapon, whether concealed or openly carried, on the leased premises of an elementary or secondary school if a church leases the school premises or areas within the school for church services or official church activities.

(1) The provisions contained in this section apply:

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Terms Used In South Carolina Code 23-31-232

  • Concealable weapon: means a firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measured along its greatest dimension that may be carried openly on one's person or in a manner that is hidden from public view in normal wear of clothing except when needed for self defense, defense of others, and the protection of real or personal property. See South Carolina Code 23-31-210
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC

(a) only during those times that the church has the use and enjoyment of the school property pursuant to its lease with the school; and

(b) only to the areas of the school within the lease agreement, any related parking areas, or any reasonable ingress or egress between these areas.

(2) A school district may request that a church utilizing school property for its services disclose and notify the school district if persons are, or may be, carrying concealed weapons on the school property.

(3) The provisions of this section do not apply during any time students are present as a result of a curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activity that is taking place on the school property.

(B) For the purposes of the Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act (18 U.S.C. § 921(a)), the buildings and grounds of a school that are leased to a church are not considered a school during the hours that the church has the use and enjoyment of the school property pursuant to this section.

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