§ 21-78. Carrying concealed weapons.

(a)

If any person carries about his person, hid from common observation, any pistol, or any other firearm or weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind, dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, razor, slingshot, metal knucks, or any weapon of like kind, or nunchahka or any other similar flailing instrument consisting of two (2) or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which instrument may also be known as a "nunchuck" or "nunchaku," shuriken, fighting chain or any weapon of like kind, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and such weapon shall be forfeited to the city and may be seized by an officer as forfeited, and such as may be needed for police officers and conservators of the peace, shall be devoted to that purpose, and the remainder shall be destroyed by the officer having them in charge.

(b)

This section shall not apply to any person while in his own place of abode or the curtilage thereof or to police officers, sergeants, sheriffs or deputy sheriffs.

(c)

This section shall not apply to any of the following individuals while in the discharge of their official duties:

(1)

Carriers of the United States mail in rural districts.

(2)

Officers or guards of the penitentiary or other institutions or camps of the state corrections system.

(3)

Conservators of the peace other than notaries public.

(d)

This section shall not apply to any person who has been granted permission to carry a concealed weapon in accord with state law.

(e)

The clerk of circuit court, as a condition to issuing an applicant a concealed weapons permit, shall require each applicant to submit to fingerprinting for the purpose of obtaining the applicant's national or state criminal history record. No fingerprinting shall be required, however, for the renewal of an existing permit pursuant to subsection I of section 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.

(Code 1956, Tit. XXIII, Ch. 4, § 8; Ord. No. 38698, § 1, 1-19-10)

Charter reference— Authority of city to prohibit carrying of concealed weapons, § 2(18).

State Law reference— Similar provisions and authority of circuit court to grant permission to carry concealed weapons, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-308.

(Code 1956, Tit. XXIII, Ch. 4, § 8; Ord. No. 38698, § 1, 1-19-10)

State law reference

Similar provisions and authority of circuit court to grant permission to carry concealed weapons, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-308.

Charter reference

Authority of city to prohibit carrying of concealed weapons, § 2(18).