Sanford vetoes DNA bill

Gov. Mark Sanford has vetoed a bill (H. 3304) requiring law enforcement to collect DNA samples from anyone arrested or indicted for any crime that is punishable by a sentence of five years or more in prison.

Sanford said in his veto message that "there is always a balance between the civil liberties unique to our culture and enhancements that would allow them greater odds in catching those who perpetrate crimes on the populace at large. While certainly enhancing law enforcement's ability to do their noble work, I believe this bill takes too big a bite from the foundation of civil liberty and privacy that are the hallmark of the American way of life."

Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, is one of the bill's top sponsors and is working to secure support for the House to override the governor's veto.

Ceips said that 10 other states and the federal government now have some type of DNA collection required at arrest. The legislation, she said, requires that any sample be destroyed if the person is found not guilty or if the charges are dismissed.