Ordinance 21, in Green Forest Tribune, May 11, 1899, at 1

Ordinance 21, in Green Forest Tribune, May 11, 1899, at 1

Abstract

Prohibited the sale, barter, exchange, disposal or furnishing, or keeps any dirk, Bowie-knife, sword or spear in a cane, brass or metal knuckles, or any kind of pistol or cartridge. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor.

Summary

This ordinance from Green Forest, Arkansas makes it a misdemeanor to carry certain weapons—such as knives, knuckles, razors, or most pistols—within town limits, as well as to sell or distribute them, with exceptions for law enforcement performing duties and individuals on journeys or their own property; it also requires officers to enforce the law or face penalties themselves, and sets fines for violations, with the ordinance taking effect upon approval and publication.

Law Text

**Ordinance No. 21.** Entitled an Ordinance making it a misdemeanor to carry weapons within the corporate limits of Green Forest, prescribing penalty. Be it ordained by the town council of the Incorporated town of Green Forest, Arkansas: Sec. 1. Any person who shall wear or carry in any manner whatever as a weapon any dirk or bowie knife, sword, or spear in a cane, brass or metal knucks, razor or any pistol of any kind whatever, except such pistols as are used in the army or navy of the United States, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Provided, officers whose duties require them to make arrests, or to keep and guard persons, together with the persons summoned by such officers to aid them in the discharge of such duties, while actually engaged in such duties, are exempted from the provisions of this ordinance. Provided further, nothing in this ordinance be so construed as to prohibit any person from carrying any weapon when upon a journey or upon his own premises. Sec. 2. Any person who shall sell, offer for exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or in any manner furnish to any person any dirk or bowie knife, or sword or spear in any cane, brass or metal knucks, or any pistol of any kind whatever, except such as are used in the army or navy of the United States, and known as the navy pistol, or any cartridge or any pistol, or any person who shall keep any such arms or cartridges for sale, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Sec. 4. Any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred dollars. Sec. 5. Any officer within and for the corporation whose duties it is to make arrest, who may have personal knowledge of any person carrying arms contrary to the provisions of this ordinance, and shall fail or refuse to arrest such person and bring him to trial, shall be punished as provided in section four. Sec. 6. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage, approval and publication.