South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 968

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Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 12, 2008

S. 968

Introduced by Senators McGill, O'Dell, Williams and Knotts

S. Printed 3/12/08--S.    [SEC 3/13/08 1:44 PM]

Read the first time January 9, 2008.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 968) to amend Section 16-23-405, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to definition of "weapon" and the handling of weapons used in the commission, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

C. BRADLEY HUTTO for Committee.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-405, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITION OF "WEAPON" AND THE HANDLING OF WEAPONS USED IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME, SO AS TO REMOVE "KNIFE WITH A BLADE OVER TWO INCHES LONG" FROM THE DEFINITION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-460, RELATING TO CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXCLUSION OF KNIVES WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE OFFENSE UNLESS THEY ARE USED WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A CRIME.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 16-23-405 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 16-23-405.    (1)(A)    Except for the provisions relating to rifles and shotguns in Section 16-23-460, as used in this chapter, 'weapon' means firearm (rifle, shotgun, pistol, or similar device that propels a projectile through the energy of an explosive), a knife with a blade over two inches long,a blackjack, a metal pipe or pole, or any other type of device, or object which may be used to inflict bodily injury or death.

(2)(B)    A person convicted of a crime, in addition to a penalty, shall have a weapon used in the commission or in furtherance of the crime confiscated. Each weapon must be delivered to the chief of police of the municipality or to the sheriff of the county if the violation occurred outside the corporate limits of a municipality. The law enforcement agency that receives the confiscated weapon may use it within the agency, transfer it to another law enforcement agency for the lawful use of that agency, trade it with a retail dealer licensed to sell pistols in this State for a pistol or other equipment approved by the agency, or destroy it. A weapon mustmay not be disposed of in any manneruntil the results of anyall legal proceedingproceedings in which it may be involved are finally determined. A firearm seized by the State Law Enforcement Division may be kept by the division for use by its forensic laboratory."

SECTION    2.    Section 16-23-460 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 16-23-460.    (A)    AnyA person carrying a deadly weapon usually used for the infliction of personal injury concealed about his person is guilty of a misdemeanor, must forfeit to the county, or, if convicted in a municipal court, to the municipality the concealed weapon, and must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days.

(B)    Nothing herein contained may be construed to The provisions of this section do not apply to:

(1)    personsA person carrying a concealed weaponsweapon upon theirhis own premises or pursuant to and in compliance with Article 4 of, Chapter 31 of Title 23,; or

(2)    peace officers in the actual discharge of their duties.

(C)    The provisions of this section also do not apply to rifles, shotguns, dirks, slingshots, metal knuckles, knives, or razors unless they are used with the intent to commit a crime or in furtherance of a crime."

SECTION    3.    The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION    4.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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