A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 16-23-420, relating to POSSESSION OF CONCEALED WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, so as to PROVIDE THAT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WITH CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS MAY CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY; by amending Section 16-23-430, relating to Carrying weapons on school property, so as to PROVIDE THAT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WITH CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS MAY CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY; and by amending Section 23-31-215, relating to Issuance of permits, so as to PROVIDE THAT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WITH CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS MAY CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.

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

SECTION 1.Section 16-23-420 (D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

(D) This section does not apply to a guard, law enforcement officer, or member of the armed forces, or student of military science, or teacher or school administrator with a concealed weapons permit. A married student residing in an apartment provided by the private or public school whose presence with a weapon in or around a particular building is authorized by persons legally responsible for the security of the buildings is also exempted from the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2.Section 16-23-430 (A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person, except state, county, or municipal law enforcement officers, or personnel authorized by school officials, or teachers or school administrators with a concealed weapons permit, to carry on his person, while on any elementary or secondary school property, a knife, with a blade over two inches long, a blackjack, a metal pipe or pole, firearms, or any other type of weapon, device, or object which may be used to inflict bodily injury or death.

SECTION 3.Section 23-31-215 (M) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

(M) A permit issued pursuant to this section does not authorize a permit holder to carry a concealable weapon into a:

(1) law enforcement, correctional, or detention facility;

(2) courthouse or courtroom;

(3) polling place on election days;

(4) office of or the business meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special purpose district;

(5) school or college athletic event not related to firearms, unless otherwise provided for in Sections 16-23-420 and 16-23-430;

(6) daycare facility or preschool facility;

(7) place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law;

(8) church or other established religious sanctuary unless express permission is given by the appropriate church official or governing body;

(9) hospital, medical clinic, doctor's office, or any other facility where medical services or procedures are performed unless expressly authorized by the employer; or

(10) place clearly marked with a sign prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon on the premises pursuant to Sections 23-31-220 and 23-31-235. Except that a property owner or an agent acting on his behalf, by express written consent, may allow individuals of his choosing to enter onto property regardless of any posted sign to the contrary. A person who violates a provision of this item, whether the violation is wilful or not, only may be charged with a violation of Section 16-11-620 and must not be charged with or penalized for a violation of this subsection.

Except as provided for in item (10), a person who wilfully violates a provision of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court and have his permit revoked for five years.

Nothing contained in this subsection may be construed to alter or affect the provisions of Sections 10-11-320, 16-23-420, 16-23-430, 16-23-465, 44-23-1080, 44-52-165, 50-9-830720, and 51-3-145.

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

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