A BILL

TO AMEND ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS, BY ADDING SECTION 23-31-232, TO PROVIDE THAT A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT HOLDER MAY CARRY A CONCEALABLE WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY LEASED BY A CHURCH FOR CHURCH SERVICES OR OFFICIAL CHURCH ACTIVITIES IF THE CHURCH OR ITS GOVERNING BODY PROVIDES EXPRESS PERMISSION TO THE PERMIT HOLDER, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION ONLY APPLIES DURING THE TIME THAT THE CHURCH HAS ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY FOR ITS SERVICES OR ACTIVITIES.

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

SECTION 1. Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-31-232. (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon express permission given by the appropriate church official or governing body, a person who holds a valid permit issued pursuant to this article may carry a concealable weapon on the leased premises of an elementary or secondary school if a church leases the school premises or areas within the school for church services or official church activities.

(1) The provisions contained in this section apply:

(a) only during those times that the church has the use and enjoyment of the property pursuant to its lease with the school; and

(b) only to the areas of the school within the lease agreement, any related parking areas, or any reasonable ingress or egress between these areas.

(2) The provisions of this section do not apply during any time students are present as a result of a curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activity that is taking place on the school property.

(B) For the purposes of the Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act (18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)), the buildings and grounds of a school that are leased to a church are not considered a school during the hours that the church has the use and enjoyment of the property pursuant to this section."

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