S 0997 General Bill, By Hawkins
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 16-3-1095 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS A FELONY TO TAKE A WEAPON FROM THE
 LAWFUL POSSESSION OF A PEACE OFFICER OR CORRECTIONS OFFICER UNDER CERTAIN
 CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

   02/07/02  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-6
   02/07/02  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-6

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1095 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS A FELONY TO TAKE A WEAPON FROM THE LAWFUL POSSESSION OF A PEACE OFFICER OR CORRECTIONS OFFICER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-3-1095. (A) As used in this section, 'peace officer' means a:

(1) police officer of this State or a subdivision of this State;

(2) police officer of any entity of the United States;

(3) sheriff;

(4) public safety officer of a college or university who is authorized by the governing board of the college or university to enforce the state's laws and the college's or university's rules and regulations;

(5) conservation officer of the Department of Natural Resources; or

(6) conservation officer of the United States Department of Interior.

(B) A person who takes a weapon other than a firearm from the lawful possession of a peace officer or a corrections officer is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both if, at the time when the weapon is taken the:

(1) person knows or believes the person from whom the weapon is taken is a peace officer or a corrections officer;

(2) peace officer or corrections officer is performing his duties as a peace officer or a corrections officer;

(3) person takes the weapon without the consent of the peace officer or corrections officer; and

(4) peace officer or corrections officer is authorized by his employer to carry the weapon in the line of duty.

(C) A person who takes a firearm from the possession of a peace officer or a corrections officer is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both if, at the time the firearm is taken the:

(1) person knows or believes the person from whom the firearm is taken is a peace officer or a corrections officer;

(2) peace officer or corrections officer is performing his duties as a peace officer or corrections officer;

(3) person takes the firearm without the consent of the peace officer or corrections officer; and

(4) peace officer or corrections officer is authorized by his employer to carry the firearm in the line of duty.

(D) This section does not prohibit a person from being charged with, convicted of, or punished for another violation of the law that he commits while violating a provision contained in this section."

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