SC knife laws (plus locals if you know)

T

T Bone

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Nov 8, 2007
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Will be traveling to SC in a few days, wondering first, does anyone know if the preemption bill for knife laws passed and has been enacted? I'd like to hope I won't be subject to a bunch of different municipal laws instead of merely being responsible to know State law.

I will be staying in the Aiken area. Would like to bring and carry a Microtech OTF Switchblade, possibly alternating with a Benchmade Balisong. I know both are legal to possess in the State, and pretty sure State law also permits their carry. My concern is if local Ordinances still can supersede State law.

FWIW, I do have a concealed pistol license from my home State that is recognized in SC, and will also be carrying a pistol (a matter for another Forum, though if preemption is an issue there also and you know about it, please advise).
 
The 2008 law legalized all knife carry at the state level. Including switchblades. The law now only criminalizes actually using the knife to commit a crime (what a novel idea! Other states, I'm glaring at you) or on K-12 school property.

The preemption bill however did not pass. Aiken and Aiken County do not appear to have any knife laws other than some policies applying to county government employees when on the job.
 
why don't you call the state DA office and ask them what there knife laws are. I am sure they would be happy to help you out.
 
Thanks for both replies. Replying to the second one below.

richard thurman said:
why don't you call the state DA office and ask them what there knife laws are. I am sure they would be happy to help you out.
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Thanks, but my research has already shown by a preponderance of data that the knives are legal to own there, and probably legal to carry. Preemption was my main concern, and as I suspected is an issue in some areas (in that the bill did not get enacted- pity).

Contacting the DA's office is of course a great idea for info on State law (far better than the usually suggested "why not call the police and ask"), but it really should be done in writing. Being a horrible procrastinator, I've waited too long for that to be effective. Still might phone them on the drive down, but I'm pretty sure I have the answers I need (including the one for Aiken, as I cannot find anything to the contrary of what the poster above stated).

Thanks again guys.
 
Speaking from experience, walking down the street peeling your apple while on lunchbreak WILL elicit a double-take from Mr. Policeman as he drives by.
 
saying you can own them is one thing. but if you are going to carry them then I would call the local police and see what the deal is. I would hate to see you go to jail over something really stupid like this. I rather be safe than sorry.
 
richard thurman said:
saying you can own them is one thing. but if you are going to carry them then I would call the local police and see what the deal is. I would hate to see you go to jail over something really stupid like this. I rather be safe than sorry.
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Thanks, but the police are rarely a good source to check a law (many don't know the laws, and even assume certain things are illegal). If I were to check with authorities, I would then go to an Attorney General, Prosecutor or City Attorney for answers. Here, was just looking for the laws to read myself, but further research seems to show that preemption did not pass, so stricter city laws will prevail. Found nothing in Aiken yet, but that does not mean it does not exist.
 
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