South Carolina’s laws concerning pocket knives are generally considered permissive both in terms of ownership and public carry. There are no state-level restrictions on owning pocket knives or limitations on blade length for everyday carry. Individuals are free to carry most types of knives, including folding and utility knives, openly or concealed in public spaces, provided the knife is not being used for illegal purposes or in furtherance of a crime.
However, specific situations and locations introduce notable restrictions. The clearest statewide exception involves schools: it is illegal to carry any knife with a blade longer than two inches on elementary or secondary school property unless you are a law enforcement officer or authorized school personnel. Violating this school-specific rule can result in misdemeanor charges, fines up to $1,000, up to a year of imprisonment, or both. Similarly, some government buildings also prohibit knives, and property owners can set their own rules, so it’s important to pay close attention to posted regulations and respect private property rights.
State law does not generally restrict the concealed carry of knives, unless the knife is used or intended to be used to commit or further a crime. In other words, possessing a knife—even a switchblade or gravity knife—is not in itself a criminal violation unless the individual has criminal intent or is acting unlawfully. Municipalities, though, may have more stringent rules. For instance, cities such as Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville have specific ordinances. In Charleston, for example, carrying concealed knives with blades exceeding 3in is prohibited. Greenville’s ordinance infers any sporting knife with a blade of 3in or longer may be considered a weapon. Despite these local ordinances, the South Carolina State Constitution provides for statewide preemption, meaning state law generally overrides conflicting municipal rules, but until ordinances are challenged or repealed, they can still be enforced locally.
When travelling through cities with stricter knife ordinances, especially Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, it’s important to review local rules before carrying pocket knives, particularly concealed knives with blades longer than 3in. Moreover, switchblades and gravity knives sometimes face additional scrutiny in some urban settings despite state law being permissive.
To summarize, owning and carrying a pocket knife—openly or concealed—is legal in South Carolina, as long as you’re not on school property (where the blade must be less than 2in long), in certain government buildings, or violating stricter local ordinances. Always ensure you are using your knife lawfully and not in a way that could be interpreted as criminal. When in doubt, consult local codes or seek advice from a qualified legal professional, especially if you plan to carry knives in major South Carolina cities or sensitive areas like schools or government campuses.
Sources
[1] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/south-carolina/
[2] https://www.bradrichardsonlawfirm.com/blog/can-you-carry-a-knife-in-south-carolina/
[3] https://www.battlbox.com/blogs/carry-laws/can-you-open-carry-a-knife-in-south-carolina-understanding-the-laws-and-regulations
[4] https://ravencresttactical.com/south-carolina-knife-laws/
[5] https://www.carved.com/blogs/life-at-carved/pocket-knife-rules-laws-by-state
