TO ENACT THE "OPEN CARRY WITH TRAINING ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-210 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "CONCEALABLE WEAPON" TO ALLOW A PERMIT HOLDER TO CARRY A CONCEALABLE WEAPON OPENLY ON HIS PERSON; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-20 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CARRYING OF A HANDGUN, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO POSSESSES A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT MAY CARRY A HANDGUN OPENLY ON OR ABOUT HIS PERSON IN A VEHICLE.

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

SECTION    1.    This act may be cited as the "Open Carry with Training Act".

SECTION    2.    Section 23-31-210(5) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(5)    'Concealable weapon' means a firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measured along its greatest dimension that must may be carried openly on one's person or in a manner that is hidden from public view in normal wear of clothing except when needed for self-defense, defense of others, and the protection of real or personal property."

SECTION    3.    Section 16-23-20(9) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(9)    a person in a vehicle if the handgun is:

        (a)    secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle; however, this item is not violated if the glove compartment, console, or trunk is opened in the presence of a law enforcement officer for the sole purpose of retrieving a driver's license, registration, or proof of insurance. If the person has been issued a concealed weapon permit pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, then the person also may secure his weapon under a seat in a vehicle, or in any open or closed storage compartment within the vehicle's passenger compartment; or

        (b)    carried openly or concealed on or about his person, and he has a valid concealed weapons permit pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23;"

SECTION    4.    This act takes effect sixty days after approval by the Governor.