TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-225, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF A CONCEALABLE WEAPON INTO THE RESIDENCE OR DWELLING PLACE OF ANOTHER PERSON WITHOUT PERMISSION AND PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLATING THIS SECTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO CERTAIN PERSONS WHEN VISITING A RESIDENCE OR DWELLING TO INSPECT, APPRAISE, SELL, OR LEASE THE RESIDENCE OR DWELLING PLACE.

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

SECTION    1.    Section 23-31-225 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 23-31-225.    No person who holds a permit issued pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 may carry a concealable weapon into the residence or dwelling place of another person without the express permission of the owner or person in legal control or possession, as appropriate. A person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court and have his permit revoked for five years. This section shall not apply to a real estate broker, real estate sales person, or real estate property manager as defined in Section 40-57-30 when visiting a residence or dwelling, whether occupied or vacant, for the purpose of inspection, appraisal, sale, or lease of a residence or dwelling place."

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