TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-215(A)(5), (6), AND (7) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A CONCEALABLE WEAPON PERMIT, TO REMOVE THE APPLICATION FEE; AND TO AMEND ARTICLE 25, CHAPTER 6, TITLE 12 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO INCOME TAX CREDITS, BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3810, TO PROVIDE FOR A REFUNDABLE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR THE COMPLETION OF A BASIC OR ADVANCED HANDGUN EDUCATION COURSE.

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

SECTION    1.    A.        Section 23-31-215(A)(5), (6), and (7) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(5)    proof of training; and

    (6)    payment of a fifty-dollar application fee. This fee must be waived for disabled veterans and retired law enforcement officers; and

    (7)    a complete set of fingerprints unless, because of a medical condition verified in writing by a licensed medical doctor, a complete set of fingerprints is impossible to submit. In lieu of the submission of fingerprints, the applicant must submit the written statement from a licensed medical doctor specifying the reason or reasons why the applicant's fingerprints may not be taken. If all other qualifications are met, the Chief of SLED may waive the fingerprint requirements of this item. The statement of medical limitation must be attached to the copy of the application retained by SLED. A law enforcement agency may charge a fee not to exceed five dollars for fingerprinting an applicant."

B.    Article 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 12-6-3810.    A resident taxpayer is allowed a refundable individual income tax credit of no more than one hundred dollars for successfully completing a basic or advanced handgun education course offered by a state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency or a nationally recognized organization that promotes gun safety that is sufficient to satisfy the training requirements for a concealable weapon permit pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23."

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