New Copper Laws Now in Effect

New laws aimed at deterring copper thieves have gone into effect.

Sheriff C. David Stone and the Pickens County Sheriff's Office announced earlier this month that two new laws came into effect on December 16.

The laws will impact members of the public who engage in the business of collecting and selling scrap metal, particularly copper and other non-ferrous metals.

The primary changes in the “Copper Law” include certain exceptions and exemptions from the law for the business community selling or purchasing scrap metal from another business, governmental entity, a manufacturing or industrial vendor that generates or sells regulated metals in the ordinary course of business, or is a holder of a retail license, an authorized wholesaler, an automobile demolisher as defined in Section 56-5-5810 (d), a contractor licensed pursuant to Chapter 11 Title 40, a residential home builder licensed pursuant to Chapter 59, Title 40, a demolition contractor, a provider of gas service, electric service, communications services water service, plumbing service, electrical service, climate conditioning service, core recycling service appliance repair service, automotive repair service, or electronics repair service, or organizations, corporations, or associations registered with the state as charitable organizations or any non profit organization.

Additionally, no manhole cover or drainage grate may be sold for scrap. It is unlawful to pay cash for any copper product, catalytic converter or beer keg.

A new auto demolisher law became effective on December 16^th as well.

As of December 16, 2012, the only way an auto demolisher may purchase a vehicle for the purpose of demolishing the vehicle, the seller must provide one of the following four items:

1. Title to the Vehicle

2. A magistrate bill of sale

3. An affidavit provided by DMV swearing ownership (auto must be held for 72 hours before being demolished)

4. Sheriff’s Certificate of Disposal (only for vehicles 12 years old or older and completely inoperable).

A vehicle should not be considered ‘inoperable’ merely because it does not have a battery or key for the ignition if by appearance the vehicle appears operable.

Earlier this year, Sen. Larry Martin spoke of the need for such laws.