(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
WEAPON. Shall include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) DEADLY WEAPON, as may be defined from time to time in the Indiana Code Title 35, currently I.C. 35-31.5-2-86;
(b) ELECTRIC STUN WEAPON, as may be defined from time to time in the Indiana Code Title 35, currently I.C. 35-47-8-1;
(c) EXPLOSIVE, refers to any agent or substance tending or serving to explode. EXPLOSIVE shall include, but not be limited to, gunpowder and dynamites;
(d) FIREARM, as may be defined from time to time in the Indiana Code Title 35, currently I.C. 35-47-1-5;
(e) STUN GUN, as may be defined from time to time in the Indiana Code Title 35, currently I.C. 35-47-8-2;
(f) TASER, as may be defined from time to time in the Indiana Code Title 35, currently I.C. 35-47-8-3; and
(g) Any other object that, in the manner in which it is used, or could ordinarily be used, or is intended to be used, is readily capable of causing serious bodily injury, as defined by I.C. 35-31.5-2-292.
(B) Restrictions. Except as provided in division (C) below, a person shall not possess on or about his or her person a firearm and ammunition, or a deadly weapon, within the County Courthouse, Highway Department and Office Complex, Law Enforcement Center, Prosecutor’s Office, Child Support Enforcement Office, Community Corrections, and ambulance stations, and on the grounds and in the buildings used as polling places in the county from an hour before the polls open until the polls have closed, the votes have been canvassed and recorded, and the election officials have left the premises.
(C) Exceptions.
(1) The following persons are exempt from this section:
(a) Law enforcement officers under I.C. 35-31.5-2-185;
(b) State Department of Correction officers, judicial officers, and probation officers who are in the County Courthouse, Highway Department and Office Complex, Law Enforcement Center, County Prosecutor’s Office, Child Support Enforcement Office, and ambulance stations for official business and duly authorized to carry deadly weapons; and
(c) County Commissioners, County Councilmen or Councilwomen, the County Assessor, the County Auditor, the County Clerk, the County Coroner, the County Surveyor, or the County Treasurer during their term in office who is not otherwise disqualified from possessing said weapons by state law or court order. This exception does not apply to the third floor of the courthouse or rooms in the courthouse or other county buildings while in use for judicial proceedings.
(2) Chemical spray devices carried by persons for personal protection shall not be considered weapons.
(3) A person described as exempt from this section shall not be exempt if he or she, or any member of his or her family, is a party to any proceeding taking place in court.
(Ord. 2002-03, passed 3-19-2002; Ord. 2012-07, passed 5-1-2012; Ord. 2022-07, passed 10-4-2022) Penalty, see § 130.99