Big Boom Gun and Pawn in South Carolina — What to Know Before You Go

What Big Boom Gun and Pawn Offers

Big Boom Gun and Pawn is a pawn shop in South Carolina that buys, sells, and loans against firearms, jewelry, electronics, and other personal items. Like other pawn shops in the state, it operates on a straightforward model: you bring in something of value, the shop assesses it, and you either sell it outright or use it as collateral for a short-term loan. If you choose the loan route, you have a set period—typically 30 to 90 days depending on the shop's terms—to repay the loan plus interest and reclaim your item.

The shop's name signals its primary focus: firearms and ammunition are a major part of the inventory. South Carolina has no state-level restrictions on pawn shops handling guns, though federal law requires background checks on all firearm purchases, whether new or used. Big Boom Gun and Pawn follows those federal requirements and state regulations governing pawn transactions.

Key Takeaways

• Big Boom Gun and Pawn loans money against items you own or buys items outright, with firearms and jewelry among the most common goods.
• Pawn loans in South Carolina typically run 30 to 90 days, and you pay back the loan amount plus interest to retrieve your item.
• All firearm sales at pawn shops require a federal background check, and you must be at least 18 years old to pawn or purchase a gun.
• Pawn shops are not required to report transactions to credit bureaus, so a pawn loan does not build credit history.
• Before pawning an item, bring proof of ownership or documentation showing you have the right to sell or pledge it.

How Pawning Works at a Gun and Pawn Shop

When you walk in with an item, the staff will examine it for condition, functionality, and market demand. For firearms, they will verify the serial number and ensure it is not stolen. For jewelry, they may test precious metals. For electronics, they will power it on and check for damage. This assessment determines how much the shop will offer you.

You then choose: sell the item for cash on the spot, or take a loan using the item as collateral. If you take the loan, you sign a pawn ticket that lists the item, its condition, the loan amount, the interest rate, and the due date. You leave the item with the shop and walk out with cash. When you return with the loan amount plus interest, you get your item back. If you do not return by the due date, the shop keeps the item and can sell it to cover the loan.

Interest rates and loan terms vary by shop and by item. South Carolina law does not cap pawn interest rates, so rates can range significantly. Always ask what the total cost will be before you agree—that is, the loan amount plus the interest you will owe at the end of the term.

Firearms and Background Checks

If you are buying a gun at Big Boom Gun and Pawn, federal law requires a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This applies whether you are buying from a licensed dealer, a pawn shop, or a gun show. The check typically takes a few minutes, though it can take up to three business days in rare cases.

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a rifle or shotgun, and at least 21 to purchase a handgun. You will need a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are pawning a firearm rather than buying one, the same age and ID requirements apply. The shop will not accept a gun from someone under 18, and they will not loan money against a firearm if you cannot prove you own it legally.

What You Can Pawn or Sell

Beyond firearms, pawn shops typically accept jewelry (gold, silver, diamonds), watches, electronics (phones, laptops, gaming consoles), musical instruments, tools, sporting equipment, and collectibles. Big Boom Gun and Pawn, like most shops, will assess each item based on current market value, condition, and how quickly they think they can resell it.

Items that sell quickly—like gold jewelry or popular electronics—often get higher loan offers because the shop knows it can recover its money fast. Niche items or things in poor condition may get lower offers or be declined altogether. If you are unsure whether the shop will take something, call ahead or bring it in to ask.

Documentation You Will Need

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. For firearms, this is required by federal law. For other items, the shop uses it to create the pawn ticket and protect against stolen goods.

If you are pawning something that is not obviously yours—a laptop with someone else's name on it, jewelry you inherited, a guitar you borrowed—bring documentation showing you have the right to pawn it. A bill of sale, a receipt, or a letter from the owner can help. Pawn shops are legally required to refuse items they suspect are stolen, so having proof of ownership protects both you and the shop.

Pawn Loans and Your Credit

A pawn loan does not show up on your credit report and does not build credit history, even if you repay it on time. Credit bureaus only track loans from banks, credit card companies, and other traditional lenders. A pawn shop loan is a private transaction between you and the shop.

However, if you do not repay the loan and the shop sells your item, that does not hurt your credit either—it is not reported as a default. The downside is that you lose the item and the money you borrowed. If you are trying to build credit, a pawn loan will not help, but it also will not harm your score if you fail to repay.

Before You Pawn: Questions to Ask

Call Big Boom Gun and Pawn or visit in person and ask these questions before you commit: What is the loan term—30, 60, or 90 days? What is the interest rate, and what will the total amount due be at the end of the term? Can you extend the loan if you need more time, and if so, what does that cost? What happens if you do not repay—does the shop sell the item, and do you have any right to it after that?

Also ask whether the shop accepts partial repayment or whether you must pay the full amount to get your item back. Some shops are flexible; others are not. Knowing the rules upfront prevents surprises and helps you decide whether pawning is the right move for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pawn a gun if I have a felony conviction?

Federal law prohibits anyone with a felony conviction from possessing a firearm. If you have a felony on your record, you cannot legally own or pawn a gun. The background check will flag this, and the shop will refuse the transaction. Some felonies can be expunged or reduced under South Carolina law, but that requires a separate legal process.

What if I do not repay the pawn loan on time?

The item becomes the shop's property, and they can sell it. You do not owe additional money beyond the original loan amount, but you lose the item. Some shops offer extensions or payment plans if you call before the due date—it is worth asking, but do not count on it.

How do I know if a pawn shop is legitimate?

Licensed pawn shops in South Carolina must register with the state and follow record-keeping rules. Ask to see the shop's license or look it up with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Legitimate shops will have clear pricing, written pawn tickets, and a physical location you can visit.

Can I pawn something that belongs to someone else?

No. You can only pawn items you own or have legal authority to pledge. Pawning someone else's property without permission is theft. If the shop suspects an item is stolen, they are required by law to refuse it.

Do pawn shops report transactions to the police?

Pawn shops must keep detailed records of all transactions, including descriptions of items, serial numbers, and customer ID information. Law enforcement can request these records if they are investigating a theft. However, routine pawn transactions are not automatically reported to police—only if the item is flagged as stolen or if there is an active investigation.