Firearms

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-50, RELATING TO PENALTIES, DISPOSITION OF FINES, AND FORFEITURE AND DISPOSITION OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR THE UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A HANDGUN; BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-540 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF "THEFT OF A FIREARM" AND PROVIDE A PENALTY; BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-545 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF "FELONY POSSESSION OF A FIREARM" AND PROVIDE A PENALTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-500, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT OFFENSE, CONFISCATION, AND RETURN OF FIREARM TO AN INNOCENT OWNER, SO AS TO EXPAND THE PARAMETERS OF THE OFFENSE, AND TO PROVIDE INCREASED, GRADUATED PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-550 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF "POSSESSING A STOLEN FIREARM DURING THE COMMISSION OF A VIOLENT CRIME" AND PROVIDE A PENALTY.