Senator sees new hope for legal tattooing

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"It was a nasty, nasty, nasty house," said Knotts, a West Columbia Republican.

Knotts, a leading opponent of tattoo parlors, said he's lost faith in the justice system's ability to stop outlaw tattoo artists, so he will no longer fight legalization efforts.

The change has given new hope to state Sen. Bill Mescher, a Pinopolis Republican pushing a bill that would legalize and regulate tattoo parlors. Mescher, who has been fighting to legalize tattooing for years, said he's concerned about unhealthy conditions in outlaw parlors.

He said four previous bills have been defeated in the House, but his fifth effort could be different, if other lawmakers' follow Knotts' example.

South Carolina and Oklahoma are the only states that ban tattooing.

Mescher's bill would require tattoo artists to use sterile needles, gloves and towels. Parlors would be licensed by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The minimum age for getting a tattoo would be 18 unless parents give permission in person or in writing. Tattoo artists would have to be at least 21.

It would be illegal to tattoo anyone impaired by alcohol or drugs. Tattooing the face, neck and head would be prohibited.

If state lawmakers pass the bill, the legal footwork wouldn't end there. To get a license, parlors would have to produce a document showing that local governments have authorized tattooing.

Mescher said he has high hopes the Senate will pass the bill this year or early next year, as it has in previous years. But the House, busy with the budget and reapportionment, won't be able to take action until next year, he said.

"It will be a little late this year to be taken up by the House," Mescher said. "But hopefully they will pass it next year."

House speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, said he didn't expect the House to take up the tattoo bill this year. It's an open question for next year, he said.

"I think most of us have an open mind," said Wilkins, who has voted against tattoo legislation in the past. "We'll see what safeguards are in the bill and what exactly the regulations are."

Chris Barbrey, manager of Purple Haze, said the Pleasantburg Drive store would welcome an opportunity to offer tattoos. The store, which does piercing, sends several potential customers a day to North Carolina where tattooing is legal, he said.

"It would be great," Barbrey said of legalized tattooing. "More money for us."

Mescher said tattoo artists have told him the state's demand for tattoos would allow no more than about 100 parlors. The cost of a license would be enough to monitor parlors, he said.

"I don't think it's supposed to be a money-maker," Mescher said.

Knotts, a former police officer, started his campaign against tattoo parlors when he was in the House. Knotts switched chambers after winning a special election in April 2002.

South Congaree Police Chief Jason Amodio said Knotts was shown an illegal tattoo parlor after a bust in October 2001.

An incident report says a man who had been arrested for driving with a suspended license tipped off officers about an illegal tattoo parlor on Edmond Highway.

The man and an officer went to the house on the evening of Oct. 3, 2001 and found the suspected tattoo artist sitting on a couch watching television, the report says. The suspect gave the officer three tattoo books, the report says.

The officer picked out a tattoo and haggled to get the price down to $60, the report says. After the suspect put the money in his jeans pocket, officers arrested him, the report says.

Knotts has cited the Bible in his opposition of tattoos. He said his feelings about tattoo parlors haven't changed.

"I still think that tattoo parlors are not good for South Carolina," he said. "But I do think that the courts have failed."

Lisa Bullington, 24, said she has gone to Asheville, N.C. for the tattoos on her neck and back. She said she's thinking about getting inked with a pair of angel wings, so she supports lifting the ban.

"I think it's awesome," Bullington said. "People are going to have it done regardless."

Mescher said last year he watched Knotts walk the floor of the House, persuading fellow legislators to vote against the tattoo bill.

"People say, 'Well, how can we legalize tattooing? We don't want to have that in South Carolina,'" he said. "It's already here."

Calvin Sullivan, 20, a local waiter, is not into tattoos but he believes in the rights of others to get them. He said people will continue to cross the border into North Carolina to get tattoos, if South Carolina doesn't legalize it. So, he's for the bill.

"Either way, it's going to happen," he said.

Paul Alongi can be reached at 298-4746.