South Carolinians can’t get tattooed, yet

Here in the Palmetto State, you can buy fireworks, get pierced and ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but you can’t get a tattoo.

Chiko Roberson is one of many people who have tattoos. Most of his body is covered with black and blue body art. But he did not get any of his tattoos here because it is illegal.

However, one lawmaker is trying to change that. By introducting a bill where you can get tattooed, Representative Joe Brown said one of the reasons why he feels good about the tattoo bill is that tattooing is being done all over the world so why can’t it be done here. Brown has been trying to get this bill passed for the last eight years.

“We just feel like from a health standpoint, this is the best thing to happen to get out in the open where we can regulate it at all times,” said Rep. Brown.

If tattooing were to become legal, DHEC would set the regulations. According to DHEC, the regulations would be similar to the regulations for body piercing. For instance, if one were to open a tattoo parlor here, then the owner would have to obtain a permit and display it in a public area within the facility. However, before obtaining a permit, the owner must complete courses in sanitation, CPR and train with the American Red Cross in first aid. Other regulations include the sterilization of equipment and how they should be used and that no one under the age of 21 can get a tattoo or anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Rep. Brown said that if tattooing becomes legal, tattoo artist won’t be able to rent space from body piercing places but will have to open their own facility and each county must decide where it can be placed. Under the tattoo bill, Rep. Brown knows that the facility has to be at least 1000 feet away from schools or churches.

As for Roberson, he really wants this bill to pass and become legal. He wants to get one more tattoo to go along with his favorite tattoo on his right arm with his name on it in big graffiti letters. He would prefer to get it done here instead of having to go to North Carolina or Georgia. Rep. Brown is confident that a decision would be made in his favor to legalize tattooing by the end of the summer.

Reported by:

Caletta Harris

Caletta Shilease Harris is originally from Temple Hills, Maryland but currently lives Columbia. After graduating in May she plans to move to Tampa, Florida and pursue her career in video production. She has worked in many fields of journalism. She also plans to work in the entertainment industry as a Video Jockey. Her ultimate goals are to direct her own videos, host her own video segment for any of the music television networks, and anchor for E! News Entertainment.