TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-215, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMITS, SO AS TO ENACT THE "NATIONAL CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT RECIPROCITY ACT" BY REVISING THE CONDITIONS THAT ALLOW A HOLDER OF AN OUT-OF-STATE WEAPONS PERMIT TO CARRY A WEAPON IN THIS STATE.

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

SECTION    1.    This Act may be cited as the "National Concealed Weapons Permit Reciprocity Act".

SECTION    2.    Section 23-31-215(N) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 223 of 2016, is further amended to read:

"(N)(1)    Valid out-of-state permits to carry concealable weapons held by a resident of a reciprocal another state must be honored by this State, provided, that the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a criminal background check and a course in firearm training and safety. A resident of a reciprocal another state carrying a concealable weapon in South Carolina with a valid out-of-state permit to carry a concealable weapon is subject to and must abide by the laws of South Carolina regarding concealable weapons while in South Carolina. SLED shall maintain and publish a list of those states as the states with which South Carolina has reciprocity.

(2)    Notwithstanding the reciprocity requirements of item (1), South Carolina shall automatically recognize concealed weapon permits issued by Georgia and North Carolina.

(3)    The reciprocity provisions of this section shall not be construed to authorize the holder of any out-of-state permit or license to carry, in this State, any firearm or weapon other than a handgun."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.