It is vitally important that we, as citizens, educate ourselves on what the legislature is doing, and give our feedback to our elected officials. There w3re a multitude firearm related bills pre-filed in the South Carolina State legislature over the past few days. Here is a rundown of what I’ve found, as well as links to the full proposed bill wording. PLEASE read through them and contact your elected state senators and representatives. Don’t be silent!

HOUSE

H 4388 General Bill, By Bernstein and M.S. McLeod
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 ENTITLED “FIREARMS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS” SO AS TO REQUIRE A FOURTEEN-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR PURCHASERS OR TRANSFEREES OF FIREARMS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4388.htm

H 4398 General Bill, By Clemmons
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 15-41-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS OR ATTACHMENT, LEVY, AND SALE, SO AS TO EXEMPT THREE FIREARMS OF ANY VALUE AND ONE THOUSAND ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION FOR EACH FIREARM OWNED BY THE DEBTOR.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4398.htm

H 4399 General Bill, By Cobb-Hunter
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 ENTITLED “FIREARMS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS” SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT A NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK MUST BE COMPLETED AND DELIVERY OF A FIREARM TO A PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE MAY NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL THE RESULTS OF ALL REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE KNOWN AND THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS NOT PROHIBITED FROM DELIVERY OF THE FIREARM.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4399.htm

H 4419 General Bill, By Gilliard
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PERSONS WHO KNOWINGLY SOLICIT, PERSUADE, ENCOURAGE, OR ENTICE A LICENSED DEALER OR PRIVATE SELLER OF FIREARMS IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW, OR KNOWINGLY PROVIDE THAT PERSON WITH MATERIALLY FALSE INFORMATION TO DECEIVE HIM ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF A TRANSFER OF A FIREARM, OR WILFULLY PROCURE ANOTHER PERSON TO ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ARE GUILTY OF A FELONY, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES, AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS THAT RELATE TO THESE OFFENSES.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4419.htm

H 4431 General Bill, By Gilliard
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT A PERSON OR ENTITY WHO MANUFACTURES IMITATION FIREARMS IN THIS STATE ONLY MAY MANUFACTURE IMITATION FIREARMS THAT ARE TRANSLUCENT OR PAINTED WITH BRIGHT COLORS.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4431.htm

H 4440 General Bill, By Gilliard
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN OFFENSES INVOLVING WEAPONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE ASSAULT WEAPONS IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATUTE AND INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION AND CREATE A TWO-TIERED PENALTY SCHEME; TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-210, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE ARTICLE, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM “ASSAULT WEAPON”; AND TO AMEND SECTIONS 16-23-220, 16-23-230, AND 16-23-240, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL TRANSPORTATION; STORING, KEEPING, OR POSSESSING; AND SALE, RENTAL, OR GIVING AWAY OF MACHINE GUNS, MILITARY FIREARMS, SAWED-OFF SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES, RESPECTIVELY, SO AS TO INCLUDE ASSAULT WEAPONS IN THE LIST OF WEAPONS BANNED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATUTES.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4440.htm

H 4444 General Bill, By Gilliard
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING HANDGUNS, SO AS TO RESTRUCTURE THE PENALTY FOR THE UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A HANDGUN AND TO PROVIDE A TIERED PENALTY STRUCTURE FOR THE OFFENSE; AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 ENTITLED “FIREARMS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS” SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS AND TO REQUIRE A TEN-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR PURCHASERS OR TRANSFEREES OF FIREARMS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4444.htm

H 4473 General Bill, By Limehouse
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-31-245 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON OR ANOTHER FIREARM MAY NOT BE PROHIBITED FROM CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON OR ANOTHER FIREARM OUTSIDE A MILITARY RECRUITING FACILITY.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4473.htm

H 4480 General Bill, By M.S. McLeod and King
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 ENTITLED “FIREARMS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS” SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT A NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK MUST BE COMPLETED AND DELIVERY OF A FIREARM TO A PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE MAY NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL THE RESULTS OF ALL REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE KNOWN AND THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS NOT PROHIBITED FROM DELIVERY OF THE FIREARM.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4480.htm

H 4491 General Bill, By Putnam
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PENALTIES IMPOSED UPON A PERSON WHO UNLAWFULLY CARRIES CERTAIN WEAPONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES IMPOSED UPON RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE WHO UNLAWFULLY CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON, AND TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY A HANDGUN INVOLVED IN A VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME MUST BE CONFISCATED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-215, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTY IMPOSED UPON A PERSON WHOSE PERMIT HAS EXPIRED.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4491.htm

H 4499 General Bill, By Putnam
Summary: Not yet available
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-215, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE MAY CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON UPON CERTAIN PREMISES FOR THE DURATION OF A STATE EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE GOVERNOR.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/4499.htm

SENATE

S 0939 General Bill, By Kimpson
Summary: Offenses involving weapons
A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 3 CHAPTER 23, TITLE 16 OF 1976 CODE, RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING WEAPONS, TO ADD THE TERM “ASSAULT WEAPON”; TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO TRANSPORT, STORE, KEEP, POSSESS, HAVE IN POSSESSION, PERMIT ANOTHER TO STORE, KEEP, POSSESS, OR HAVE IN POSSESSION, SELL, RENT, GIVE AWAY, OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY MANNER, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE SALE, RENTING, GIVING AWAY, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON; AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS PROHIBITION; TO AMEND ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO USE AND POSSESSION OF MACHINE GUNS, SAWED-OFF SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES, TO ADD THE TERM “ASSAULT WEAPON” AND TO INCLUDE THIS FIREARM IN THE EXCEPTIONS OF THE ARTICLE.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/939.htm

S 0940 General Bill, By Kimpson
Summary: Offenses involving weapons
A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 23, TITLE 16 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING WEAPONS; BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-54 TO PROVIDE THAT A HANDGUN OWNER OR DEALER MUST IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE LOSS OR THEFT OF A HANDGUN TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-50, TO PROVIDE FOR A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF SECTION 16-23-54.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/940.htm

S 0941 General Bill, By Kimpson
Summary: South Carolina Background Completion Act
A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO FIREARMS, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO SELL, EXCHANGE, OR TRANSFER A FIREARM TO A PERSON BEFORE COMPLETION OF A BACKGROUND CHECK THROUGH THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/941.htm

S 0942 General Bill, By Kimpson
Summary: Weapon Purchase Permits
A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO FIREARMS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF WEAPON PURCHASE PERMIT TO PURCHASE A WEAPON IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE THE CONTENTS OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST MAINTAIN A DATABASE OF ALL PERMIT HOLDERS AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF EACH PERMIT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REVOCATION OF PERMITS, TO PROVIDE THAT PERMITS ARE VALID FOR THREE YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT A PERMIT HOLDER IMMEDIATELY MUST REPORT THE LOSS OR THEFT OF A WEAPON PURCHASE PERMIT TO SLED; TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; AND TO AMEND ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CONCEALED WEAPONS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST ISSUE A CONCEALABLE WEAPON PERMIT, SUBJECT TO SECTION 23-21-215(B), TO A RESIDENT WHO HOLDS A VALID WEAPON PURCHASE PERMIT AND WHO SUBMITS THE WEAPON PURCHASE PERMIT AND THE OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 23-21-215(A)(1)-(4) TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION FEE OF TEN DOLLARS; AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO THE REMAINDER OF ARTICLE 4.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/942.htm

S 0943 General Bill, By Kimpson
Summary: Registration of firearms with SLED
A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO FIREARMS, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO OWNS A FIREARM SHALL REGISTER THE FIREARM WITH THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION SHALL MAINTAIN A LIST OF FIREARM SERIAL NUMBERS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST PUBLISH A REPORT; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess121_2015-2016/bills/943.htm