(A) A person who uses a firearm within this State shall submit to a SLED-approved breath test to determine the alcoholic content of the blood and to a urine test to detect the presence of a controlled substance if there is probable cause to believe that the person was using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance or if the person is arrested lawfully for an offense allegedly committed while he was using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The breath or urine test must be administered at the request of a law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe the person was using the firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The administration of either test shall not preclude the administration of the other test. The refusal to submit to a breath or urine test upon the request of a law enforcement officer pursuant to this section is admissible into evidence in a criminal proceeding.
(B) If the arresting officer does not request a breath or urine test of the person arrested for an offense allegedly committed while the person was using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, the person may request the arresting officer to have a breath test made to determine the alcohol content of the person's blood or a urine test for the purpose of determining the presence of a controlled substance. The failure of the person who requests a breath or urine test to actually be so tested shall bar the prosecution of the person for using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
(C) The provisions of Section 56-5-2950 relating to the administration of tests for determining the weight of alcohol in an individual's blood, additional tests at the individual's expense, availability of test information to the individual or the individual's attorney, and liability of medical institutions and persons administering the tests are applicable to this section.
(D) The results of a test administered pursuant to this section for the purpose of detecting the presence of a controlled substance are not admissible as evidence in a criminal prosecution for the possession of a controlled substance.
(E) Information obtained pursuant to this section must be released to a court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, or law enforcement officer in connection with an alleged violation of Section 23-31-400 upon request for this information.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 464, Section 2.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Section 23-31-10. Purchase of rifle or shotgun in another state.
Section 23-31-20. Purchase of rifle or shotgun in this State by resident of any state.
Section 23-31-110 to 23-31-200. Repealed by 2012 Act No. 285, Section 2, eff June 29, 2012.
Section 23-31-210. Definitions.
Section 23-31-215. Issuance of permits.
Section 23-31-216. Collection and retention of fees.
Section 23-31-217. Effect on Section 16-23-20.
Section 23-31-220. Right to allow or permit concealed weapons upon premises; signs.
Section 23-31-225. Carrying concealed weapons into residences or dwellings.
Section 23-31-230. Carrying concealed weapons between automobile and accommodation.
Section 23-31-232. Carrying concealable weapons on premises of certain schools leased by churches.
Section 23-31-235. Sign requirements.
Section 23-31-240. Persons allowed to carry concealable weapons within the State.
Section 23-31-310. Definitions.
Section 23-31-320. Exceptions to application of article.
Section 23-31-350. Article not applicable to antique firearms.
Section 23-31-400. Definitions; unlawful use of firearm; violations.
Section 23-31-410. Blood and urine testing.
Section 23-31-420. Presumptions.
Section 23-31-1010. Definitions.
Section 23-31-1050. Definitions for Sections 23-31-1030 and 23-31-1040.