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Speak Up! - View Question #597 |
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Question: Is it legal to carry a small knife in one's pocket? Are switchblade knives illegal in South Carolina?
Answer: As far as small knives go, as long as the blade is no more than 2 inches in length, it is not considered a weapon by South Carolina state law. SC Code 16-23-405. However, local governments and other entities can create rules that would make carrying small knives a violation of the law. Also, nobody may carry a knife of any size or any other weapon onto school grounds. SC Code 16-23-430 (Although this statute mentions knives over 2 inches in length, it also prohibits "any other type of weapon, device or object which may be used to inflict bodily injury or death," and that includes small knives.)
In regard to switchblade knives, because it is illegal to carry any knife over 2 inches in length, it would be illegal to carry a switchblade. SC Code 16-23-460.
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