§ 18-121. Unlawful use; exceptions.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly:

(1)

Carry concealed upon or about his person a switchblade knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use unless authorized by RSMo. § 571.094; or

(2)

Set a spring gun; or

(3)

Exhibit, in the presence of one (1) or more persons, any weapon readily capable of lethal use in an angry or threatening manner; or

(4)

Possess a firearm or projectile weapon while intoxicated; or

(5)

Carry a firearm or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any church or place where people have assembled for worship, or into any school, or into any election precinct on any election day, or into any building owned or occupied by any agency of the federal government, state government, or political subdivision thereof, or into any public assemblage of persons met for any lawful purpose unless authorized by RSMo. § 571.094.

(b)

Paragraphs (a)(1), (3) and (5) of this section shall not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1)

All state, county and municipal law enforcement officers possessing the duty and power of arrest for violation of the general criminal laws of the state or for violation of ordinances of counties or municipalities of the state, or any person summoned by such officers to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while actually engaged in assisting such officer;

(2)

Wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of crime;

(3)

Members of the armed forces or national guard while performing their official duty;

(4)

Those persons vested by article V, section 1 of the Constitution of Missouri with the judicial power of the state;

(5)

Any person whose bona fide duty is to execute process, civil or criminal.

(c)

Paragraphs (a)(1), (4) and (5) of this section do not apply when the actor is transporting such weapons in a nonfunctioning state or in an unloaded state when ammunition is not readily accessible or when such weapons are not readily accessible. Paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not apply when the actor is also in possession of an exposed firearm or projectile weapon for the lawful pursuit of game, or is in his dwelling unit or upon business premises over which the actor has possession, authority or control, or is traveling in a continuous journey peaceably through this state.

(Code 1974, § 16-5; Ord. No. 11635, §§ I, II, 10-6-2003)