South Carolina carry laws...?

Rhesus Feces

Rhesus Feces

bombastic simpleton
Joined
Jun 9, 2002
Messages
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I'm going on a much needed vacation with my family next month to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

I've already begun pondering what kind of sharp stuff to bring and I figured I'd better know what's legal in the area before deciding.

What are the maximum legal lengths for fixed blades and folders?

What constitutes concealed carry and is it legal?

What kind of political and social environment exists in H.H.?

Liberals? Conservatives? Rich? Poor? Middle class? Is it "touristy"? Lots of bars and college kids?

Tell me about it.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give, I'd really like a feel for the area.

Josh
 
http://www.thehighroad.org/library/blades/knifelaws.html

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm

South Carolina - 16-23-460. Carrying concealed weapons... Any
person carrying a dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor
or other deadly weapon usually used for the infliction of
personal injury concealed about his person shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor, shall forfeit to the county or... to the
municipality the weapon so carried concealed an fined...
or imprisoned... [exempt person's own premises and peace
officers].
- 16-23-430. Carrying weapons on school property. It shall be
unlawful for any person [except officials] to carry on his
person, while on any elementary or secondary school
property, a knife, with a blade over two inches long... or
any other type of weapon, device, or object which may be
used to inflict bodily injury or death... a felony.
 
I just returned from a vacation in S.C. I spent time in Darlington and Beaufort visiting friends and my wife's relatives. We ended the week in Myrtle Beach. I don't know what the laws are, but I carried a Vic Alox Classic, Vic Sportsman II SAK, and a Camillus Heat everywhere I went. I think I used all of these knives in public, and no one gave me a second glance.

I have never been there, but I believe Hilton Head is a bit more upscale. If you are a golfer, you probably will feel like you are in heaven. It was hotter than the hinges of Hades when we were there (95 degrees, 110 heat index every day).

Have a great vacation!
 
I lived in Charleston for a while and have visited many times since. I have always carried either a Spyderco Delica or small Sebenza without any problems. Charleston does have a 3" limit though but you shouldn't have any trouble if you act responsibly.

Enjoy your trip. If you get a chance to go to Charleston try Hyman's seafood and take one of the guided tours. The history of the city still fascinates me...
 
The tricky part of SC law is the "other deadly weapon usually used for the infliction of personal injury concealed about his person shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor". The way I read it, any concealed knife with a blade over 2 inches could be considered illegal at the discretion of the LEO. Autos are legal here, but most LEOs don't realize that. Buck 110's and multi-tools in belt sheaths are very common attire in more rural areas. Unlike some other states, I'm not aware of the "exposed clip" defense to concealed carry being used here.

I've lived in the lowcountry of SC over 40 years and have never been asked about my pocketknife. We all carry pistols down here. ;) A loaded handgun in your glove compartment or other closed compartment is perfectly legal without a CCW (cuts down on the road rage).

Most of SC is relatively conservative.

Hilton Head is a combination of upscale and touristy. Most permanent residents are mostly either reasonably well off or work in the service industries. As Boiler said - it is a golfer's heaven (as are a number of other areas in SC).

Not really the best of places (in my opinion) for the college crowd. Myrtle Beach is better for the rowdier bunch.

It is hot and very humid this time of year. Expect highs in the upper eighties to low 100's this time of year with a very high humidity.
 
Hotter than the hinges to hades says Boiler,, that's one way to put it!!
It's just the price you pay for living in paradise!

I have asked a couple of LEO's this same question and get varied answers,,
This is the way I understand it, from the compiled answers:

Other than a regular 'gents' folder' concealed knives are illegal,,,, HOWEVER,

any openly carried knife is legal(no autos) as long as it's showing,,

I have NEVER been stopped or questioned about any knife, fixed or folder, but don't own any really large fixed blades,,, one officer said that attitude and
asuumed intent played the biggest part in determining the degree of hasslin' you'd get.

Hilton Head is sort of touristy and definitely upscale, your greatest chance of meeting a police officer would be in a speeding stop, they do check speeds...
unless you create a situation that would call their attention to you, I wouldn't worry. Visit the Old Oyster Factory for some great seafood,

Bobby is right a Charleston side trip would be great,, he is a great guy!! Let me know,, I'll meet the two of you.


B.G.
 
Mr. Levine's listing of SC law is inaccurate through ommision; the last sentence:
The provisions of this section do not apply to rifles, shotguns, dirks, slingshots, metal knuckles, or razors unless they are used with the intent to commit a crime or in furtherance of a crime.

The a search of Hilton Head Code of Laws for the words blade, knife or Concealed do not bring up anything, nor does a search of Summerville code, as indicated.

Since you may be taking side trips into Metro Charleston I will give my entire compilation. My sources were the websites that had the municipal codes on them. Itallicized boldface is my own emphasis.


South Carolina State Law:

SECTION 16-23-405. Definition of “weapon”; confiscation and disposition of weapons used in commission or in furtherance of crime.

(1) Except for the provisions relating to rifles and shotguns in Section 16-23-460, as used in this chapter, ‘weapon’ means firearm (rifle, shotgun, pistol, or similar device that propels a projectile through the energy of an explosive), a knife with a blade over two inches long, a blackjack, a metal pipe or pole, or any other type of device or object which may be used to inflict bodily injury or death.



SECTION 16-23-460. Carrying concealed weapons; forfeiture of weapons.

Any person carrying a deadly weapon usually used for the infliction of personal injury concealed about his person is guilty of a misdemeanor, must forfeit to the county, or, if convicted in a municipal court, to the municipality the concealed weapon, and must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. Nothing herein contained may be construed to apply to (1) persons carrying concealed weapons upon their own premises or pursuant to and in compliance with Article 4 of Chapter 31 of Title 23, or (2) peace officers in the actual discharge of their duties. The provisions of this section do not apply to rifles, shotguns, dirks, slingshots, metal knuckles, or razors unless they are used with the intent to commit a crime or in furtherance of a crime.

Charleston

Sec. 21-215. Carrying concealed ice pick or knife with blade exceeding three inches in length.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry concealed about his person any ice pick, razor, knife, dagger or stiletto, the blade of which exceeds three (3) inches in length.

North Charleston

Sec. 13-151. Not to be carried concealed on person.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry concealed, upon his person, within the city, except on his own premises, any firearm, razor, knuckles, dirk, slingshot, or any other weapon or instrument commonly used for the infliction of personal injury; provided, that this section shall not apply to law enforcement officers in the discharge of their duties as such officers.



Mount Pleasant

§ 132.20 CONCEALED WEAPONS.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry concealed, on his or her person, within the municipality, except on his or her own premises, any firearms, razor, knuckles, dirk, slingshot, or any other weapon or instrument commonly used for the infliction of personal injury, provided, that this section shall not apply to law enforcement officers in the discharge of their duties as such officers.

('81 Code, § 134.01) Penalty, see § 130.99

Statutory reference:

Assault with concealed weapon, see S.C. Code § 16-3-610

Hanahan

Sec. 9-2-2 Concealed weapons.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry concealed about his person any pistol, dirk, metal knuckles, razor, ice pick, hawkbill knife or any spring or clasp knife, which has a blade more than three (3) inches in length, or other weapon usually used for the infliction of personal injuries.

Sec. 9-2-3 Carrying of weapons.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry about the person whether concealed or not, any dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor or other weapon usually used for the infliction of personal injury or injuries. This section shall not apply to peace officers while in the discharge of their duties.

Summerville: None
 
I carry my microtech ut6 everyday down here and have never had any problems. You just gotta know when and when not to take it out. When I am near a a lot of sensitive people I just use my jester on my keychain to cut stuff (for some reason people think that just because a blade has a spring it has to be dangerous.....but thats another post. :rolleyes: ).
 
yozuri82 said:
(for some reason people think that just because a blade has a spring it has to be dangerous.....but thats another post. :rolleyes: ).
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That's the funny part about carrying a side-opening auto -- if you open it carefully against your other hand or a leg instead of letting it snap out, they don't even notice. Then the next time you pull it out, let it fly! and watch their eyes pop! :eek:

Just don't tell them I said it was OK to do this ... :cool:
 
Esav Benyamin said:
That's the funny part about carrying a side-opening auto -- if you open it carefully against your other hand or a leg instead of letting it snap out, they don't even notice. Then the next time you pull it out, let it fly! and watch their eyes pop! :eek:

Just don't tell them I said it was OK to do this ... :cool:
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Well I wish I could do that but I have a UT6 ...a double action out the front auto. Unless you let the blade come off the "track" there is no way to open it quietly :D
 
I've got a UT6 myself and I'd like to try catching that blade when I pop the button!! I'll be sure to let you know how I do -- if I manage to get it without taking a finger off :p

Of course, mine is boron carbide coated. I would hate to get fingerprints on that beautiful shiny finish.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I've got a UT6 myself and I'd like to try catching that blade when I pop the button!! I'll be sure to let you know how I do -- if I manage to get it without taking a finger off :p

Of course, mine is boron carbide coated. I would hate to get fingerprints on that beautiful shiny finish.
Click to expand...
Go ahead and try it...if you still have your fingers to type with...let me know how you do. :)
 
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