H 3239 General Bill, By Chumley, Burns, Long, G.R. Smith and Magnuson
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-220, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO A PREMISES OWNER'S RIGHT TO PERMIT A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT
 HOLDER TO CARRY A WEAPON ON HIS PREMISES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PREMISES
 OWNER OR A PERSON IN LEGAL POSSESSION OF A PREMISES IS LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY
 SUSTAINED BY A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT HOLDER FROM THE PERPETRATOR OF A CRIME
 WHILE ON A POSTED PREMISES UPON WHICH A PERSON MAY NOT CARRY A CONCEALABLE
 WEAPON, AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROVISION.

   12/15/16  House  Prefiled
   12/15/16  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/10/17  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 125)
   01/10/17  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 125)

H. 3239

TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-220, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO A PREMISES OWNER'S RIGHT TO PERMIT A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT HOLDER TO CARRY A WEAPON ON HIS PREMISES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PREMISES OWNER OR A PERSON IN LEGAL POSSESSION OF A PREMISES IS LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY SUSTAINED BY A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT HOLDER FROM THE PERPETRATOR OF A CRIME WHILE ON A POSTED PREMISES UPON WHICH A PERSON MAY NOT CARRY A CONCEALABLE WEAPON, AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROVISION.

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

SECTION    1.    Section 23-31-220 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 23-31-220.    (A)    Nothing contained in this article shall in any way be construed to limit, diminish, or otherwise infringe upon:

(1)    the right of a public or private employer to prohibit a person who is licensed under this article from carrying a concealable weapon upon the premises of the business or work place or while using any machinery, vehicle, or equipment owned or operated by the business;

(2)    the right of a private property owner or person in legal possession or control to allow or prohibit the carrying of a concealable weapon upon his premises.

The posting by the employer, owner, or person in legal possession or control of a sign stating 'No Concealable Weapons Allowed' shall constitute notice to a person holding a permit issued pursuant to this article that the employer, owner, or person in legal possession or control requests that concealable weapons not be brought upon the premises or into the work place. A person who brings a concealable weapon onto the premises or work place in violation of the provisions of this paragraph may be charged with a violation of Section 16-11-620. In addition to the penalties provided in Section 16-11-620, a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of the provisions of this paragraph must have his permit revoked for a period of one year. The prohibition contained in this section does not apply to persons specified in Section 16-23-20, item (1).

(B)    Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Subsection (A), a premises owner or a person in legal possession of a premises, who posts a sign, in compliance with this chapter, that prohibits the carrying of a concealable weapon on the premises, is strictly liable for any injury sustained by a concealed weapon permit holder from the perpetrator of a crime while on a posted premises. A premises owner, who is subject to this provision, is civilly liable to compensate the permit holder treble damages for injuries that are sustained and all attorney fees and costs incurred in any action the permit holder files against the owner or person in possession of the posted premises."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.