TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-540 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION, OR MANUFACTURE OF A DEVICE, PART, COMPONENT, ATTACHMENT, OR ACCESSORY INTENDED TO ACCELERATE THE RATE OF FIRE OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION AND TO ALLOW EXCEPTIONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

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)    It is unlawful for a person to possess, distribute, or manufacture a part, component, attachment, device, or accessory designed to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic weapon including, but not limited to, a bump stock or trigger crank.

    (B)    A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years.

    (C)    This section does not apply with respect to the importation for, manufacture for, sale to, transfer to, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a state, department, agency, or political subdivision thereof."

SECTION    2.    Within ninety days of the effective date of this act, persons possessing, distributing, or manufacturing a part, component, attachment, device, or accessory designed to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic weapon must cease all operations concerning the distribution or manufacture of these items and surrender such items to their local sheriff's department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or a field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.