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RECALLED
April 20, 2000
H. 3420
Introduced by Reps. Klauber, Campsen, Altman, Knotts, Hawkins, Loftis, Sandifer, Cooper, Woodrum, Lanford, Harrison, Fleming, Taylor, Young-Brickell, Limehouse, Vaughn, Rodgers, Chellis, Keegan, Barrett and Robinson
S. Printed 4/20/00--S.
Read the first time April 29, 1999.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-7-125 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE RIGHT OF THE STATE AND ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO SUE A FIREARMS MANUFACTURER, FIREARMS TRADE ASSOCIATION, OR FIREARMS DEALER ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OR ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS IN CASES ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM THE LAWFUL DESIGN, MARKETING, OR SALE OF FIREARMS TO THE PUBLIC IS RESERVED TO THE STATE; AND BY ADDING SECTION 23-31-30 SO AS TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY FOR PERSONS LICENSED UNDER THE UNITED STATES CODE, IN CASES ARISING FROM THE USE OF A FIREARM BY A PERSON OTHER THAN THE LICENSEE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 7, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 1-7-125. (A) No person may sue or recover from a firearms manufacturer, trade association, or dealer, or an ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer ex delicto, for damages, abatement, or injunctive relief from any claims arising out of or resulting from the marketing, design, or lawful distribution and sale of firearms or ammunition to the public.
(B) As used in this Section:
(1) 'design' means the proper and intended operation of a firearm or ammunition whether or not the firearm or ammunition design could have incorporated additional operating features;
(2) 'lawful distribution and sale' means compliance with any applicable federal and state statutes or regulations governing the distribution and sale of firearms and ammunition;
(3) 'person' means the State of South Carolina, political subdivisions of the State, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, associations, and any other legal entity however designated.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person from bringing an action against a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer ex contractu for breach of contract or warranty, nor shall this section prohibit a products liability action arising out of the malfunction or improper design of any device which results in personal injuries uncommon to the normal and intended functioning of a firearm or ammunition."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval of the Governor and applies to all cases and appeals pending on the effective date of the act.
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