9.34.010 Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm – Carrying, exhibiting, displaying or drawing unlawful – Exceptions.
A. It is unlawful for anyone to carry, exhibit, display or draw any pistol, rifle, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons. It is also unlawful, except as provided herein, for any person to possess or have within an area of dominion and control throwing stars and chako sticks. For the purposes of this section, “pistol” and “rifle” shall include but are not limited to pellet guns, B-B guns, air-propelled guns and similar devices. For the purposes of this section, “chako sticks” are defined as an instrument consisting of two or more sticks, clubs, bars or rods to be used as handles, connected by rope, cord, wire or chain in the design of a weapon used in connection with the practice of a system of self-defense, such as karate. In addition, for the purposes of this section, “throwing stars” are defined as an instrument consisting of a metal plate having three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges and designed in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond, or other geometric shape for use as a weapon.
B. Any person violating the provisions of subsection A of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
C. Subsection A of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:
1. Any act committed by a person while in their place of abode or fixed place of business in self-defense of such abode or business;
2. Any person who by virtue of their office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses while in the performance of such duty;
3. Any person acting for the purpose of protecting themself against the use or presently threatened use of unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by the third person;
4. Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or
5. Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments.
6. Provisions relating to chako sticks or throwing stars shall not apply to or affect regularly enrolled members of clubs and associations organized for the practice, instruction or demonstration of self-defense arts involving chako sticks or throwing stars while such members are at, or are going to and from their place of residence, a practice session, an instruction session, a demonstration, or place of repair, or while such members are going from the place of purchase, providing that the chako sticks or throwing stars are in a carrying case in the possession of the owner. (Ord. 5682 § 1, 2002.)