Most reported stolen gun brands in South Carolina
From South Carolina police reports that list the manufacturer.
Most reported stolen gun models in South Carolina
From reports that list both the make and the model.
Buying a used gun privately in South Carolina
South Carolina law does not require a background check on private sales between residents, so checking the serial number may be the only check that happens before a private sale. Federal law still requires a sale to someone who lives in another state to go through a licensed dealer.
Before you pay: ask for a photo of the serial number before you meet, check it here, then make sure the serial on the frame or receiver matches and hasn't been scratched, ground or altered. Possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number is a federal crime, whoever removed it.
If the serial number comes back as stolen, don't buy the gun and don't confront the seller. Leave, and give the serial number and the seller's details to local police on their non-emergency line.
About the South Carolina records
These are reports of stolen and lost guns filed with police in South Carolina, dated 1997–2017. They are historical and not complete: many stolen guns are never reported, and not every agency's records are included. Of the 1,817 reports, 449 are marked recovered. A check shows a gun as outstanding only when its latest report is still stolen or lost. SafeOrStolen never publishes serial numbers; the only way to look one up is to check it. See the national stolen gun statistics.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a gun is stolen in South Carolina?
Enter the gun's serial number at SafeOrStolen (safeorstolen.com/gun-serial-number-lookup/south-carolina). SafeOrStolen searches 1,817 police reports of stolen and lost guns from South Carolina, dated 1997–2017, 241,022 reports from 33 other jurisdictions, live Ohio law-enforcement records and SafeOrStolen's own theft reports. You get a result in a few seconds, and the first 2 checks are free.
How many stolen gun reports does SafeOrStolen have for South Carolina?
1,817 police reports, dated 1997–2017: 1,368 reported stolen, 0 reported lost and 449 marked recovered. That is 0.7% of the 242,839 reports SafeOrStolen holds, and ranks South Carolina 15 of the 34 jurisdictions covered.
What guns are reported stolen most in South Carolina?
In South Carolina's reports, the most reported brand is Smith & Wesson (281 reports) and the most reported model is the Hi-Point CF380 (13).
Do I need a background check to buy a gun privately in South Carolina?
South Carolina law does not require a background check on private sales between residents, so checking the serial number may be the only check that happens before a private sale. Federal law still requires a sale to someone who lives in another state to go through a licensed dealer.
Is a gun that isn't in these records definitely not stolen?
No. Many stolen guns are never reported, and these are historical police records. A no-match result on SafeOrStolen means nothing was found in the records searched. Ask for the receipt or transfer paperwork, and use a licensed dealer for the transfer when you can.