Carrying a gun openly will be legal in South Carolina soon.

SC Gov. Henry McMaster Monday signed into law a bill legalizing carrying a weapon openly if you have a concealed weapons permit.

McMaster signed the Open Carry with Training Act into law, he announced on Twitter Monday afternoon.

It goes into effect August 16.

It requires a person to go through the training to get a concealed weapon permit in order to openly carry, but it waives the State Law Enforcement Division $50 fee for the permit.

SC was 1 of only 5 states to not allow any kind of open carry.

“It’s critical for gun owners to understand the new law before carrying their weapon in public,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel.

In a press release, Keel noted:

Current valid concealed weapon permit (CWP) holders are not authorized to openly carry a handgun in South Carolina until Aug. 16.

The Open Carry with Training Act does not change the law on who can carry a firearm. Rather, it merely changes the way a CWP holder can carry a handgun in public in SC.

The new law does not change where a CWP holder can carry in South Carolina nor does it change the right of a public or private business or employer to post a sign prohibiting or allowing the carrying of a concealable weapon by a valid CWP holder.

During the next 90 days, SLED will be working diligently to develop the necessary training curriculum for the handgun education course; coordinate with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy to create and provide training for law enforcement personnel; and overhaul our internal process to handle the required changes that impact applications and renewals.

Anyone who owns a firearm and is interested in openly carrying their weapon in public is strongly encouraged to thoroughly read the recently signed law and all applicable South Carolina gun laws.