(a) No person shall knowingly carry or have in his or her possession any spear, machete, throwing stars, nun chucks, bow and arrow, knife having a blade three and one-half (3½) inches in length or longer, brass knuckles, cestus, billy club, or baton, blackjack, sword, saber, or other deadly weapon while at or about a public place. This section does not apply to any firearm as defined in R.C. § 2923.11.
(b) As used in this section, "public place" means any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, but does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to the uses of the public. It also includes the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, mall, tavern or other place of business and any grounds, areas or parks where persons would congregate.
(c) This section does not apply to officers, agents, or employees of this City, the State of Ohio, or any other state or the United States, to law enforcement officers authorized to carry or possess deadly weapons or to persons with private or special police commissions and acting within the scope of their duties.
(d) This section shall not apply if any weapon in division (a) of this section was part of a public or commercial weapon display, show, or exhibition; or was a practice sword, saber, spear, or other weapon, not sharpened and only intended for practice or demonstration; or was in the possession of a person participating in an organized match, competition, class, or practice session.
(e) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section that the actor was not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the weapon, and that the weapon was kept ready at hand by the actor for defense purposes, while he or she was engaged in his or her lawful business or occupation, which business or occupation was of such character or at such a place as to render the actor particularly susceptible to criminal attack, such as would justify a prudent person in having the weapon ready at hand.
(f) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section that the actor was not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a knife having a blade three and one-half (3½) inches in length or longer, and that either (i) the actor at the time was engaged in a lawful business or pursuit and that business or pursuit justifies possession of a knife having a blade three and one-half (3½) inches in length or longer as a tool of trade or pursuit, or (ii) the knife having a blade three and one-half (3½) inches in length or longer was kept ready at hand by the actor for defense purposes, while he or she was engaged in his or her lawful business or occupation, which business or occupation was of such character or at such a place as to render the actor particularly susceptible to criminal attack, such as would justify a prudent person in having such a knife ready at hand.
(g) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possessing certain weapons on or about public places, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(Ord. 2018-014A. Passed 5-21-18.)