TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-540 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF KNOWINGLY BUYING, SELLING, TRANSPORTING, PAWNING, RECEIVING, OR POSSESSING ANY STOLEN SHOTGUN, RIFLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR LONG GUN, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 5, Chapter 23, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 16-23-540.    (A)    A person shall not knowingly buy, sell, transport, pawn, receive, or possess any stolen shotgun, rifle, or other similar long gun or one from which the original serial number has been removed or obliterated. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

    (B)    For purposes of this section, the terms 'shotgun' and 'rifle' mean as defined in Section 16-23-210."

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