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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-1-315 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WHERE THE PALMETTO TRAIL ADJOINS PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO FIREARMS MAY BE DISCHARGED WITHIN TWENTY-FIVE YARDS OF EACH SIDE OF THE TRAIL, TO PROVIDE THAT THE TRAIL ALSO MAY NOT BE USED AS A MEANS OF TRESPASSING FOR HUNTING OR FOR TURNING DOGS LOOSE FOR THE PURPOSE OF HUNTING WITHIN A TWENTY-FIVE YARD BUFFER OF EITHER SIDE OF THE TRAIL, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 50 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 50-1-315. (A) Where the Palmetto Trail adjoins public property and private property, no firearms may be discharged within twenty-five yards of each side of the trail. The trail, acting as a public easement, also may not be used as a means of trespassing for hunting or for turning dogs loose for the purpose of hunting within a twenty-five yard buffer of either side of the trail. However, hunters may use the trail as a means of access to remote areas of private and public lands if the hunter has permission to hunt these lands, the hunter carries his firearm unloaded in a hard or soft case and any dogs are on a leash while on the trail.
(B) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days. In addition, any guns or equipment of the violator in his possession at the time of the violation shall be confiscated and forfeited to the State."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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