South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 23 - Offenses Involving Weapons
Section 16-23-55. Procedure for returning found handgun.

(A) A handgun that is found and turned over to a law enforcement agency must be held for a period of ninety days. During that period, the agency shall make a diligent effort to determine:
(1) if the handgun is stolen;
(2) if the handgun has been used in the commission of a crime; and (3) the true owner of the handgun.
(B) At least twice during the ninety-day holding period, the agency shall advertise the handgun with its full description in a newspaper having general circulation in the county where the handgun was found.
(C) After the ninety days have elapsed from publication of the first advertisement, and upon request of the individual who found and turned over the handgun, the agency shall return the handgun to this person if the individual fully completes the application process as described in Section 23-31-140 and in federal law, and pays all advertising and other costs incidental to returning the handgun. No handgun may be returned until the individual fully completes the application.
(D) Upon proper completion of the application, the law enforcement agency shall provide copies of the application in compliance with Section 23-31-140.
HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 172, Section 1; 2004 Act No. 294, Section 1, eff August 16, 2004.

Editor's Note
Section 23-31-140, referenced in subsections (C) and (D), was repealed by 2012 Act No. 285.

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