(a) Except as permitted by State or Federal law no person shall knowingly carry or have, concealed on the person's person or concealed ready at hand, any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed or specially adapted for use as a weapon, or possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.
(b) This section does not apply to officers, agents or employees of this or any other state or the United States, or to law enforcement officers, authorized to carry concealed weapons or dangerous ordnance, and acting within the scope of their duties.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section of carrying or having control of a weapon other than dangerous ordnance, that the actor was not otherwise prohibited by law from having the weapon, and that any of the following apply:
(1) The weapon was carried or kept ready at hand by the actor for defensive purposes, while he was engaged in or was going to or from his lawful business or occupation, which business or occupation was of such character or was necessarily carried on in such manner or at such a time or place as to render the actor particularly susceptible to criminal attack, such as would justify a prudent man in going armed.
(2) The weapon was carried or kept ready at hand by the actor for defensive purposes, while he was engaged in a lawful activity, and had reasonable cause to fear a criminal attack upon himself or a member of his family or upon his home, such as would justify a prudent man in going armed.
(3) The weapon was carried or kept ready at hand by the actor for any lawful purpose and while in his own home.
(4) The weapon was being transported in a motor vehicle for any lawful purpose, and was not on the actor's person.
(d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of carrying concealed weapons, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(Ord. 460-12. Passed 9-11-12.)