I live in a restrictive state and thus do not have a carry permit but I was in a Shoney’s in South Carolina recently. Saw one guy sidle up to the salad bar open carrying. The next guy was printing under his shirt.
I looked at my wife and told here that everyone is packing in this place. Felt very safe.
Smith Carolina is NOT an open carry state, (for handguns that is, rifles and shotguns it is OK,) and you will be charged and you will pay for your harmless mistake. CCW in SC is fine with permit and there is no problem with printing. You could cover a S&W model 29 with eight inch barrel using only a t-shirt with the words “Go ahead make my day!” emblazoned upon it.
The law is usually used to enhance other charges like drug offenses and traffic offenses. The patrolman will not get in trouble if he lets you go. Prosecutors will not get in trouble if they drop a deadly weapon charge against you, but I would not count on it.
There is an open carry movement in SC but right now they are all absorbed in getting constitutional carry passed. This year it was ruined when a proponent made some kind of vague “death threat” against the libs on social media. Maybe next year.
https://www.charlestonlaw.net/handgun-carry-laws-south-carolina/disapproval
http://rkmerting.com/open-carry-in-south-carolina/