Bill > S0338

This bill, named the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, aims to protect the privacy of firearm owners and prevent the creation of registries tracking privately owned firearms in South Carolina. The bill defines several key terms, including "ammunition" (cartridge components), "firearm" (various types of guns), and "payment card" (credit, debit, or prepaid transaction cards). It prohibits government entities from maintaining lists or registries of privately owned firearms, except during criminal investigations or as otherwise required by law. The bill also restricts payment card networks and financial institutions from using specific merchant category codes that would uniquely identify firearm retailers, effectively preventing the tracking of firearm and ammunition purchases. If violations occur, the Attorney General is authorized to investigate, provide written notice, and seek injunctions against offending entities. Potential penalties include court-ordered injunctions and civil fines up to $1,000 per violation, with considerations given to the financial resources of the violator and potential harm to Second Amendment rights. The bill emphasizes that the Attorney General has exclusive enforcement authority, and the specified remedies are the only legal recourse for violations. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0338&session=126&summary=B