South Carolina
Permanent URL for this collectionhttps://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/5244
South Carolina
This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to South Carolina. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the colonial period through statehood to the present.
- Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
- Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, militia and frontier records, coastal and port archives (e.g., Charleston), manufacturing and agricultural collections, and oral histories tied to South Carolina people and places.
- Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.
Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.
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Item type:Item, 9 Stat. at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 358 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1792)"[A]ll free negroes and Indians, (nations of Indians in amity with the State excepted,) Moors, mulattoes and mestizoes, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, shall be obliged to serve in the said militia.Item type:Item, 9 Stat. at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 665-75 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1778)Applied to "all male free inhabitants ... from the age of sixteen to sixty years." Every militiaman had to "constantly keep in good repair, at his place of abode ... one good musket and bayonet, or a good substantial smooth bore gun and bayonet, a cross belt and cartouch box" that could hold thirty-six rounds, "twelve rounds of good cartridges," plus "half a pound of spare powder and twenty-four spare rounds of leaden bullets or buck-shot," a cover for the gunlock, wax, worm picker, and "one screw driver or substantial knife." Instead of the musket plus bayonet, a militiaman could choose "one good rifle-gun and tomahawk or cutlass."Item type:Item, 9 Stat. at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 689-90 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1784)"Excused from militia duty, except in times of alarm ... all persons under the age of eighteen years or above the age of fifty years."Item type:Item, 9 Stat. at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 617-19 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1703)Included "all and every the inhabitants from the age of sixteen years to sixty." It required "each person or soldier" to appear "with a good sufficient gun, well fixed, a good cover for their lock, one good cartridge box, with at least twenty cartridges of good powder and ball, and one good belt or girdle, one ball of wax sticking at the end of the cartridge box, to defend the arms in rain, one worm, one wier and four good spare flints, also a sword, bayonet or hatchet.Item type:Item, 9 Stat. at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 643 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1739)"all persons who are liable to bear arms, shall constantly keep in their houses such arms, furniture, ammunition and accoutrements.Item type:Item, 9 Stat. at Large of S.C. 633 (1841)(1721)"Acts relating to the Militia," Stateutes at Large of South Carolina No. 440: Required that master or mistress provide "every white male servant or servants… at the term and exdpirtation of his or their srvice be freed and discharged shall be provided with such good and sufficient arms, ammunition, and accoutrments, as by this act is directed..."Item type:Item, 8 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Corporations and the Militia 485 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1794)Organized its militia "in conformity with the act of Congress." The South Carolina militia was "every citizen who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of eighteen years." It excluded "all persons under the age of eighteen, and above the age of forty-five years." Additionally, "all free white aliens or transient persons, above the age of eighteen and under the age of forty-five years, who have resided or hereafter shall or may reside in this state for the term of six months [were] subject and liable to do and perform all patrol and militia duty which shall or may be required by the commanding officer" of the district." The required arms were the same as the federal Uniform Militia Act.Item type:Item, 9 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 691 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1791)The necessary arms were revised in 1791. Firearms were "a good musket and bayonet . . . or other sufficient gun." Edged arms were "a good and sufficient small sword, broad sword, cutlass or hatchet." Along with the usual cartouch box, powder horn or flask, shot bag or pouch, spare flint, and ammunition.Item type:Item, 9 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 645-47 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1747)Affirmed that it was "lawful to . . . call together all male persons in this Province, from the age of sixteen to sixty years." It also made "every person liable to appear and bear arms . . . keep in his house, or at his usual place of residence, and bring with him to such muster, exercise or training, one gun or musket, fit for service, a cover for his lock, one cartridge box," twelve cartridges, horn or flask filled with at least a quarter pound of gun powder, a shot pouch with appropriate bullets, "one girdle or belt, one ball of wax . . . to defend his arms in rain, one worm and picker, four spare flints, a bayonet, sword or hatchet.Item type:Item, 9 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 666-72 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1778)Applied to "all male free inhabitants . . . from the age of sixteen to sixty years."391 Every militiaman had to "constantly keep in good repair, at his place of abode . . . one good musket and bayonet, or a good substantial smooth bore gun and bayonet, a cross belt and cartouch box" that could hold thirty-six rounds, "twelve rounds of good cartridges," plus "half a pound of spare powder and twenty-four spare rounds of leaden bullets or buck-shot," a cover for the gunlock, wax, worm picker, and "one screw driver or substantial knife." Instead of the musket plus bayonet, a militiaman could choose "one good rifle-gun and tomahawk or cutlass.Item type:Item, 9 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 617 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)(1703)Included "all and every the inhabitants from the age of sixteen years to sixty." It required "each person or soldier" to appear "with a good sufficient gun, well fixed, a good cover for their lock, one good cartridge box, with at least twenty cartridges of good powder and ball, and one good belt or girdle, one ball of wax sticking at the end of the cartridge box, to defend the arms in rain, one worm, one wier and four good spare flints, also a sword, bayonet or hatchet.Item type:Item, Ordinances of the Town of Columbia 61-62 (1823)(1823)No. 41: That hereafter it shall not be lawful for any person to fire or discharge any gun, pistol or other small arms within the limits bounded by Henderson, Blossom, Lincoln and Upper streetsItem type:Item, William Rice, A Digested Index of the Statute Law of South Carolina From the Earliest Period to the Year 1836, at 356 (1838)(1835)Prohibited any "free negro or other free person of color" from carry firearms without a ticket.Item type:Item, Ordinances of the Town of Columbia 75-76 (1823)(1823)Ordinance no. 57: No merchant, retailer, dealer in powder, or any person or persons whatever, within the said town, shall retain, keep or have in his, her or their possession, at any time, a greater quantity of gunpowder than fifty pounds weight.Item type:Item, 1782 S.C. Acts 22(1782)"Any officer or private who shall be found drunk on guard, or at any other time of duty, if an officer, be cashiered and turned into the ranks, or receive such other punishment as the court shall inflict ; if a non-commissioned officer or private, he shall be confined til sober, and serve ten days longer than he was otherwise liable to."Item type:Item, 4 Stat. at Large of S.C. 343-44 (1838)(1776)An Act to Prevent Sedition, and Punish Insurgents and Disturbers of the Public Peace, § 1: Prohibited any person to "take up arms with a hostile intent."Item type:Item, The General Ordinances of the City of Charleston, South Carolina 199–200 (1895)(1815)ch. 15, §§ 566-570: Sec. 566.[1] It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to carry gunpowder without a secure and proper covering, in any wagon, cart, dray, or otherwise, through the streets, lanes, or on the wharves of this City, and any person or persons so offending, shall forfeit, for every such offence, the sum of fifty dollars. Sec. 567.[2] It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to sell any gunpowder, which may at the time be within the City of Charleston, in any quantity, without having first obtained a license to keep and sell gunpowder, the said license to be issued by the Clerk of Council, who shall receive, for the use of the City, from the person obtaining the license, the sum of one dollar for each license so issued, and every such license shall be in force for one year from the date thereof, unless previously annulled by the City Council, and no longer; and every person or persons offending herein shall forfeit and pay for the said offence the sum of one hundred dollars. Sec. 568.[3] It shall not be lawful for any merchant, factor, retailer, or dealer in gunpowder, or any person or persons whomsoever, to retain, have, or keep in his, her, or their possession, any quantity of gunpowder exceeding one pound in weight, unless the same shall be well secured in a tin canister or canisters, which said canisters shall be plainly marked or labelled on the outside thereof, with the word "Gunpowder," and shall be deposited and kept on the right side of the principal door or entrance to the store, shop, or premises wherein the same may be; and any person or persons offending against any of the provisions of this section, shall forfeit and pay, for every such offence, the sum of one hundred dollars. Sec. 569.[4] No merchant, factor, retailer, or dealer in gunpowder, or any person or persons whomsoever, within this City, shall retain, keep, or have, in his, her or their possession, at any one time, a greater quantity of gunpowder, than twenty-five pounds weight; and, on information given to the Mayor, or the same coming by any means, to his knowledge, of a greater quantity than twenty-five pounds weight, in the possession of, or within the enclosure or enclosures of any person or persons whomsoever, the Mayor is hereby required and directed to prosecute such person or persons so offending, in any court of competent jurisdiction, when, on conviction of the same, the party shall be fined in the sum of one hundred dollars. Sec. 570.[5] It shall not be lawful to establish or keep within the limits of the City, any magazine, or place for the storage of gunpowder, nor to keep any gunpowder in any place within the said limits, excepting in small quantities, as herein provided, under a penalty or fine not exceeding five hundred dollarsItem type:Item, Ordinances of the City Council of Charleston 153 (1802)(1802)No. 145, § 5: That it shall and may be lawful for the fire-masters to enter into the houses, out-houses, stables and yards of every owner or tenant of the same in Charleston, wherever they shall see occasion and enquire, search, and examine if any quantities of gun-powder ,hay, straw, fodder, pitch, tar, rosin, turpentine, hemp, oil, tallow, or other combustible matter, are lodged in any such place within the said city, which may be in danger of taking fire; and if the said fire-masters shall find there is apparent danger that fire may be communicated by such combustibles, they shall admonish the owner or the tenant of such house or houses, to remove the sameItem type:Item, The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Edited Under Authority of the Legislature 417 (1840)(1743)"every white male inhabitant of this Province... who shall, on any Sunday or Christmas day in the year, go and resort to any church or any other public place of divine worship within this Province, and shall not carry with him a gun or a pair of horse pistols, in good order and fit for service, with at least six charges of gun-powder and ball, and shall not carry the same into the church or other place of divine worship as aforesaid, every such person shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings, current money, for every neglect of the same."Item type:Item, 1740 S.C. Acts 174(1740)An Act for the Better Ordering and Governing of Negroes and other Slaves in this Province, § 41: And Whereas an ill custom has prevailed in this Province, of firing guns in the night time; for the prevention thereof for the future, be it enacted that if any person shall fire or shoot off any gun or pistol in the night time after dark and before day-light without necessity every such person shall forfeit the sum of 40s. current money for each gun so fired as aforesaidItem type:Item, 7 Stat. at Large of S.C. 417–19 (1840) (enacted 1740, re-enacted 1743)(1740)Required ever white male inhabitant liable for militia service to carry a gun or pair of horse pistols in good order and fit for service to church. Also required at least six charges of gun powder and ball. Violators liable for twenty shillings on each violation.Item type:Item, 1823 S.C. Acts 63(1823)Ch. 20, § 13: Prohibits any "free negro, or other free person of colour" from carrying any firearms or other military weapons without a written ticket from his or their guardian. Violators punished under pain of forfeiture.Item type:Item, 1791 S.C. Acts 16(1791)An Act To Amend And More Effectually Put In Force For The Time Therein Limited, The Act Entitled An Act For The Regulation Of The Militia Of This State (Dec. Session): That every free man of this state, liable to bear arms in any of the regiments, battalions or companies of foot in this state and who shall appear at any such regiment or battalion muster or at any muster or review ordered by his Excellency the governor, or at any company muster ordered in pursuance of this act, or by virtue of the said act of the twenty-sixth day of March 1784, not provided with a good musket and bayonet, and cartouch box capable of containing at least twelve rounds of cartridges or other sufficient gun and a good and sufficient small sword, broad sword, cutlass or hatchet, and a powder horn or flask capable of holding at least 12 rounds of powder, and a good shot bag or pouch, capable of holding twelve balls of a proper size for his gun, and with three spare flints, shall forfeit and pay for each and every such default, the sum of two dollars, or the sum of half a dollar for each article of arms or accoutrements herein before directed, to be affected and levied on such defaulter, in the manner in and by the said act directed and appointed.Item type:Item, Ordinances of the City Council of Charleston 114 (1802)(1802)No. 117, § 9: And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That no person or persons, shall fire any squibs, crackers, or other fireworks, except at times of public rejoicing, and at such places as the intendant for the time being may permit, by license under his hand; nor burn any chips, shavings, or other combustible matters, in any of the streets, lanes, wharves, alleys, or open or enclosed lots of the city, nor fire any gun, pistol, or fire arms, within the limits of the city, except on occasion of some military parade, and then by the order of some officer having the command, under the penalty of ten dollars, for every such offense; nor shall any person or persons, raise or fly any paper or other kite, within the said city, under the said penalty of ten dollars.]Item type:Item, 4 Stat. at Large of S.C. 34 (1838)(1756)An Act for Disposing of the Acadians Now in Charleston, § 10: Prohibited "Acadians" from using a firearm or other offensive weapon and allowed people to seize such weapons.Item type:Item, 4 Stat. at Large of S.C. 319–20 (1838)(1770)Creating a public powder magazine and directing "That persons living in Charlestown shall store their gunpowder, except the quantity which by law they are allowed to keep in their houses…" were to be stored in the public magazines. There is no mention what that quantity wasItem type:Item, 1740 S.C. Acts 11–12(1740)An Act for the Better Ordering and Governing of Negroes and other Slaves in this Province, § 23: Prohibited any "negro or slave" from possessing or using firearms or weapons without a ticket or license from their master, punishable by seizure of weapons.