Concealed Weapons Permit Classes

Citizens With Pistols is dedicated to providing South Carolina residents CWP classes and comprehensive training required by SLED to obtain a Concealed Weapons Permit.  We provide students with a safe, friendly, comfortable learning environment, concentrating heavily on (YOU, the student) gaining the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and safely use a pistol.  We stress personal protection as allowed by state laws with regards to pistol and hand gun ownership.  If you have any questions about our CWP classes, just ask.

CWP Classes are available daily by NRA and SLED Certified Instructors.  Just call or email and we can enroll you in our next upcoming scheduled CWP class.

The cost of our complete 8 hour CWP class (including target testing) is $70 and we provide lunch.

CWP classes for Upstate of South Carolina

Our classroom and motorized pistol range is located in lower Greenville County.  We are very near the intersections of US-25 and US-76; where the four corners of Greenville, Laurens, Anderson and Abbeville Counties meet.  Our location is also an easy drive from Greenwood, Pickens, and Spartanburg Counties.  Click on our Contact page for detailed directions and maps.

Safe Motorized Public Pistol Range

• For your safety, the outdoor shooting range is covered with motorized targets.
• Weather is not an issue; we shoot rain or shine.
• Any class member may shoot at the range at no charge after completing their CWP class; their guests are welcome as well.
• We allow most any weapon for shooting and most any round that you choose to shoot for your practice.
• Rifles and Shotguns are allowed for personal practice with any ammunition.
• We DO require that you use hearing protection, safety glasses, and a responsible attitude to the range and toward fellow shooters.

By South Carolina State law, one of the ways to meet the requirements for obtaining a concealed weapons permit is for applicants to attend an eight hour course of instruction. This course must be taught by a S.L.E.D. approved instructors, and must include specific CWP class material as well as a live fire qualification and written examination.  Concealed Weapons Permit class Instructors provide CWP class instruction and meet the requirements for you to submit your Concealed Weapons Permit application to S.L.E.D.

All CWP class instructors must be S.L.E.D. certified to teach firearms instruction. Furthermore, all instructors must agree to stay up-to-date and maintain their standing as SLED approved CWP class instructors. Some Instructor Members have also obtained other instructor qualifications, such as NRA certification. The instructors of Citizens With Pistols have met all of these qualifications to teach CWP classes.

The South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit course offered is more than a qualification demonstration and overview of the laws governing concealed carry in the state of South Carolina, it is an in depth look into handgun handling, mechanics, fundamentals, and most importantly, SAFETY!

The instructors at Citizens with Pistols bring years of experience to the classroom from the fields of industrial security, state and local law enforcement, and military. From this experience, students will learn first and foremost the safe handling procedures concerning firearms. From there, instruction will be given concerning the latest laws governing South Carolina concealed carry permits. Laws covered range from a detailed explanation of the Castle Doctrine, to the Alter Ego Rule, to the Use of Deadly Force, to coverage of areas and states permitting concealed carry, and much more. We have communications open to South Carolina State lawmakers to help promote the right to carry firearms in the state legislature.

Shooting basics are covered in great detail beginning with grip and shooting stance. Isosceles Triangle and Weaver shooting positions are taught along with advantages and disadvantages concerning both. An eye dominance exercise demonstrated.  Each student will determine student’s dominant eye which will lead to proper stance education. Sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, breath control, and follow through will all be presented and covered in great detail with demonstration.

To conclude the cwp class portion of the course, methods of handgun concealed carry will be demonstrated using various examples of concealed holsters including pancake side draw, pocket, ankle, belly, and shirt holsters. Field stripping exercises will familiarize the students with the tearing down and rebuilding of their handguns. Proper cleaning supplies will be discussed along with cleaning procedures.

A South Carolina state required 50 question examination will take place to confirm competency and a 50 round qualification course will confirm proficiency. The qualification will consist of several sequences of fire from various yardages up to 15 yards.

Once testing and qualifying have been completed, the student will be fingerprinted and given all necessary forms in order to apply for the SC CWP.