S0141 would add a new section to South Carolina law requiring state residents who own or possess firearms to maintain continuous liability insurance coverage. The required policy could be a homeowner’s, renter’s, or gun liability insurance policy, so long as it covers losses or damages arising from negligent or accidental firearm use, including death, injury, and property damage.
The bill also requires proof of insurance to be shown to a law enforcement officer upon demand. If a person violates the requirement, the bill makes the violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The act would take effect upon approval by the Governor.
Impact
If enacted, S0141 would create a new firearm-related insurance mandate in Title 23, Chapter 31 of the South Carolina Code and impose a new criminal penalty for noncompliance. It would affect firearm owners and possessors statewide by requiring them to obtain and maintain qualifying insurance coverage and to be able to produce proof of coverage when requested by law enforcement. The bill would also expand the role of law enforcement in verifying compliance and add a misdemeanor enforcement mechanism to the state’s firearms laws.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or vote sentiment in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a regulatory approach to firearm ownership focused on financial responsibility for accidental or negligent gun use. Because no action history is included, support or opposition within the General Assembly cannot be determined from the record provided.
Contention
The main points of contention likely concern whether the state should require firearm owners to purchase insurance at all, whether such a mandate would burden lawful gun ownership, and whether proof-of-insurance checks by law enforcement raise privacy or enforcement concerns. Supporters would likely view the bill as a way to ensure compensation for victims of firearm accidents and negligence, while opponents may argue it creates a de facto barrier to exercising gun rights and could be difficult to administer fairly. No specific stakeholder positions are documented in the provided transcripts or votes.
Individuals who own firearms required to obtain and maintain liability insurance required, criminal penalties imposed, and firearm liability insurance surcharge imposed.
Individuals who own firearms obtaining and maintaining liability insurance requirement provision and firearm liability insurance surcharge imposition provision
Owners of firearms required to have liability insurance, and homeowners' and tenants' policies required to include liability coverage for accidental discharge of firearms.
In firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for licenses, providing for liability insurance and further providing for sale or transfer of firearms.