Body Armor illegal in SC?

[hankdatank1362]

Open question:

Are bullet-resistant vests illegal in SC? My Constitutional Law professor says they are illegal to possess (but not to own )... he works for the Marion County Sherrif's Dept. and has been an LEO for years. I know, I know, doesn't make him correct.

I've dredged the entire SC statehouse legislation webpage and come up with nothing. I always thought it was legal to own and wear, unless you are in the act of committing a crime.

P.S. - We got on the topic because of a controversy about an LEO in Marion who sold an old bullet resistant vest to someone. Maybe it's illegal to own an old police-used model, but can buy a new one?

Help me guys, I want this guy to know the truth when I go back to class on thursday. He's a really nice guy, I just want to correct him if he's wrong.

 

[atblis]

So what?

SO what if it is? Just because it is a law, that doesn't mean you have to follow it.

I'd look it up here.
http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/statmast.htm

SECTION 16-3-1080. Committing or attempting to commit a violent crime while wearing body armor a felony. [SC ST SEC 16-3-1080]

(A) Except as provided in subsection (B), a person who commits or attempts to commit a violent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-60 , or threatens to commit a violent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-60, while wearing body armor is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than two thousand dollars, or both. A term of imprisonment imposed for violating this section may be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for the crime committed or attempted.

(B) Subsection (A) does not apply to:

(1) a peace officer of this State or another state, or of a local unit of government of this State or another state, or of the United States, while in the performance of his official duties; or

(2) a security officer while in the performance of his official duties.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) "Body armor" means clothing or a device designed or intended to protect a person's body or a portion of a person's body from injury caused by a firearm;

(2) "Security officer" means a person lawfully employed to protect another person or to protect the property of another person.

That's hillarious. If you're a cop and you commit a violent felony wearing body armor, it doesn't apply. That seems like a double standard.