South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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Bill 1271

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED AND AMENDED

April 27, 2010

S. 1271

Introduced by Senators Campsen and Knotts

S. Printed 4/27/10--S.

Read the first time March 11, 2010.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 11, TITLE 50 OF THE 1976 CODE, BY ADDING SECTION 50-11-108 TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MAY USE A FIREARM TO KILL OR ATTEMPT TO KILL ANY ANIMAL DURING ANY SEASON IN SELF-DEFENSE, DEFENSE OF ANOTHER, OR DEFENSE OF PROPERTY, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS.

Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 11, Title 50 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-11-108.    (A)    A person may use a firearm if he or she is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, or may use any other deadly weapon at any time and during any season to kill or attempt to kill any animal if the person reasonably concludes it is necessary for the purpose of:

(1)    self-defense;

(2)    defense of another person; or

(3)    defense of domestic animals.

(B)    Any person who uses deadly force against a big game animal or alligator in defense of persons or domestic animals as provided for in this section must immediately report the incident to the Department of Natural Resources. No big game animal or alligator taken as provided for in this section may be retained. Failure to report the incident or surrender the carcass is a misdemeanor and any person convicted may be fined up to two thousand dollars or imprisoned up to one year, or both. Notwithstanding this section, all other laws protecting and regulating taking of big game and alligators shall apply."

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

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This web page was last updated on April 27, 2010 at 6:21 PM